Employment relationships and meaning of work: A research with higher education professors

Abstract

Purpose: To explore or meaning of work, analyzing and comparinghow it is experienced by workers who are submitted to different employment relationships. Originality/value: The research is important because it advances in the discussion about the flexibilization of labor relations and its impact on how professionals experience and attribute meaning to their work. In addition, we found a gap of empirical research relating the meaning of work and different types of employment relationships. Design/methodology/approach: We conduct a qualitative and exploratory research with professors from the same higher education institution that work under different employment relationships. Forty-five professors participated in the study, whose reports were submitted to discourse analysis. Findings: Initially, the results reinforced the six categories proposed by Morin (2001): 1. the work that generates results; 2. is intrinsically satisfactory; 3. morally acceptable; 4. source of satisfactory human relationships; 5. which guarantees security and autonomy, and 6. keeps the person occupied. In addition, three new categories associated with the professors' work have been identified: "work as a masochistic practice", "work as a calling", and "work as an identity factor". Our results point to the complexity of maintaining professionals working side by side, but under different employment relationships. Resentment, anguish and frustration were some of the feelings that we consider to be associated with this reality, and represent a challenge to be faced by organizations.