Minnkandi miðlægni vinnunnar

Abstract

Concerns about the declining importance of work have inspired numerous studies in recent decades. Explanations for this alleged decline have not the least been sought in the entrance of new generations into the labour market. The main objective of this article is to assess and distinguish generational and period effects on the importance of work, or so-called work centrality. With this in mind, the results of two population surveys on work centrality conducted in 2012 and 2022 among VR members, the largest union in Iceland, are compared. The results are compared between surveys, age groups and generations: Boomers, Generation X (GenX), Millennials (GenY) and Generation Z (GenZ). The results reveal a strong period effect and that work centrality declines between the two surveys – across age groups and generations. Generational effects are also notable in both surveys. The results also show that work is more central to the oldest generation (Boomers) compared to the younger ones, but small differences are found in work centrality among the younger generations.