A view often expressed by the older generation is how the youth of today do not possess a strong work ethic. The following paper explores this claim by taking into consideration the differing socio-economic factors that separate the older from the younger generation and questions whether this assumption is based merely on the very different employment environment in today’s world.

A good work ethic seems to be synonymous with the idea of long days work, taking pride in your work rather than just being motivated by earning capital and being loyal and faithful to an employment opposition. As well as this there seems to be the sense that a strong work ethic has a lot to do with self sacrifice and being brought up in a stricter environment. A good work ethic also can apply to academic studies, such as placing the completion of tasks on time to a high standard as a priority above all else.

Overall I think my age group and peers do not have a similar work ethic as the older generation but at the same time believe this is because the nature and environment of work has changed dramatically. For many of the older generation a job was for life and in order to progress a person had to maintain a strong work ethic. In turn this was reciprocated by the employers by a stable job and the chance to progress. I believe now the employment environment has become a lot more fluid (with more opportunities to change jobs and even retrain) and at the same time more ruthless. Because of this change I believe the traditional ‘work ethic’ has changed to match the realities of the current job market. While the older generation may have had a stronger work ethic it seems nowadays a different more fluid approach to employment is needed.