Meaning of work in the perception of people who carry out common work

Abstract

Common work is understood as repetitive, dull, often dangerous, painful, dirty, and physically grueling. In face of these characteristics, the common work goes unnoticed by the society in front of the public invisibility and the social discredit that is attached to it. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the meaning of work for professionals who carry out common work. Through a qualitative research, 32 interviews were carried out with workers who performed common work in the northern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Interviews were conducted based on a semi-structured script, recorded, transcribed and analyzed using the analysis technique with the help of Max-Qda software. The work presented as central in the life of the researched ones, being related to the survival, social insertion and pleasure in carrying out the activities that are attributed to them. For doing so, regardless of the function they occupy and the level of education they have, the work they carry out has a purpose and a value for society.