Historians reveal how 'work' got redefined—and who got left out
A new paper shows how the modern definition of work as paid, full-time employment has systematically erased entire categories of labor from economic history, particularly women's contributions. For businesses and policymakers, this matters: it means our data on labor markets, productivity, and workforce trends are built on incomplete historical foundations that may distort current policy decisions.
Originaltitel: From Careful Observation to Experimental Interpretation: An Introduction
<p>The history of work is marred by the fact that the meaning of “labour” or “work” changed with the arrival of modern society, making it difficult to draw comparisons across time. There has been a shift from understanding work as any activity that may secure continued living and well-being, to seeing it as paid, full-time, specialized employment. This transformation has obscured the work of some groups in society (notably women but also others) and work in the form of multiple employments (which often means multiple labour relations). The methods and sources presented in this Special Theme offer valuable tools for historians seeking to address and navigate these issues.</p>