Skip to main content

Work: the new religion?

Dec 13 2005 by Brian Amble
Print This Article

Do you love your work too much, asks the Guardian's Ian Wylie. Is it taking over our hearts as well as our minds?. Because, he argues, if you bring your heart and soul to work, and there's a good chance you'll end up feeling betrayed.

Should we accept that work is our new religion, where we worship and sacrifice our time? Or should we put our work back in context? The Spanish word for work, "trabajo", comes from a Latin word for an instrument of torture. Even the Puritans considered work a means to an end.

Successful companies are usually the ones that stick to their core competencies. Maybe the smart ones should trust their employees with the time and space to find more meaning outside work, and leave spiritual experiences to babies in mangers.

The Guardian | Hopelessly devoted

Related Categories

Latest book reviews

MORE BOOK REVIEWS

The Confidence Myth

The Confidence Myth

Ginka Toegel

How can women leaders break free from gendered perceptions? Professor Ginka Toegel’s new book challenges the narrative that female leaders lack confidence or that women need to "fix" themselves, arguing for a fundamental shift in how organisations recognise and reward competence.

Relationship Currency

Relationship Currency

Ravi Rajani

In an era where AI can draft emails and manage our schedules, 'Relationship Currency' is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in genuine human connection.

The Enlightened Manager

The Enlightened Manager

Vishwanath Alluri and Harry Eyres

Can we truly manage others without first understanding ourselves? This is the question at the heart of a book that takes an unconventional approach to management by drawing on the teachings of the teacher and philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti.