Meaningful Workplaces: Reframing How and Where We Work

Meaning Plus Work

I want to be clear about the words meaning and work as I use them. For the sake of comparison, meaning at work implies a relationship between the person and the organization or the workplace, in terms of commitment, loyalty, and dedication. Richards (1995) says that if there is meaning at work, “[only then] will our work become more joyful [and] our organizations will flourish with commitment, passion, imagination, spirit, and soul” (p. 94). According to Porters and colleagues (1974), commitment involves the willingness of employees to exert higher efforts on behalf of the organization, a strong desire to stay in the organization, and acceptance of the major goals and values of the organization. I deal with meaning at work ...