The Reality of Work Cultures in the Modern Economy Essay - 1

The Reality of Work Cultures in the Modern Economy - Essay Example Protestant work ethic and its impact upon the lives and attitudes to work of employees Sennett refers in his book to the Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism as to an important illustration of two contrary ethical standards: self-fashioning and self-discipline (1998, 102). Based on this book, the Protestant work ethic implies that employees should not harry with their desire for self-fulfillment and gratification, rather, they should delay this desire to the end. According to the Protestant concept which is based on the religious pillars, people should have practiced self-denial in the present and sacrifice themselves every day thus proving their worthiness in the sight of God (Sennett 1998, 103). This ideology has been transformed into the â€Å"worldly asceticism† and in the workplaces people were focused on saving instead of spending, pursuing the long-term result and achievements (Sennett 1998, 103). Discipline as an act of self-punishment also was an integral element of the Protestant’s work ethic. The Protestant emplo yee was taking fully a responsibility for his/her lived time and judged morally based on this key criterion. Based on this concept every individual was morally responsible for the time and quality of work he/she performed during the working hours as well as for time he/she spent out of work: at home, with family and children, sleeping, having a rest, etc.