Abstract
This study was developed to reflect on the possible relationships among meaning, meaningful, and identity of work, considering the ambiguities and paradoxes that permeate certain occupations in Brazilian society. It is a theoretical essay examining the perspectives on “dirty work,” meaningful, and meanings of work and identity(ies). The analytical approach allowed us to identify that the marginalization of certain occupations to the detriment of others has at its core aspects much more complex than the nature of work per se. Therefore, understanding this phenomenon requires more robust and in-depth efforts than those previously presented in the literature on identity, meaningful, and meanings of work and “dirty work”. The study proposes that there is more to low-prestige occupations considered ‘dirty work’ that negatively influences workers’ well-being than simply the stigma and stains printed on “dirty workers.”
Keywords:
Meanings and Meaningful of Work; Identity(s); "Dirty work"