ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to discern whether the presence of a contemporary work ethic drives people to work hard and what rewards it might promise. It responds to Bauman’s argument that the work ethic is diminishing and that consumption is replacing work as the central defining activity in liquid modernity. It begins by exploring theoretical accounts of the work ethic, including those from Weber, Weeks and Sennett. This is followed by an analysis of the work ethic in contemporary Australian culture. The remainder of the chapter concentrates on the accounts of the interview participants. From this analysis, it is argued that the work ethic is not dead, but it is not a singular ethic; nor it is not all consuming. Different versions of the work ethic remain powerful, to varying degrees. The ‘ascetic ideal’ (Weeks), encompassing various contemporary manifestations of the work ethic, has been partly de-centred. In the pursuit of a more enjoyable, less stressful life, more individuals are willing to de-prioritize work. This is not an outright rejection, but a desire to achieve a better balance. This was mostly articulated in terms of time for family or health. Few participants were willing to declare that they wanted to make space purely for pleasure.
