Z WORKS

The text examines the historical transformation of the concept of work. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, work constituted an integral part of everyday life and largely consisted of self-sustained agricultural, craft-based, and small-scale commercial activities. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution around 250 years ago, production shifted from household-based settings to factories, prompting mass migration to urban centers and the rise of wage labor. This transition redefined work as a “job,” requiring full-time dedication to tasks often detached from the final product. This structure persisted throughout the second and third industrial revolutions. In the contemporary era, however, the fourth industrial revolution is reshaping work dynamics once again. The text emphasizes that Generation Z—those born after 1995—now inhabit a more complex and interconnected social environment, leading to new expectations and modes of engagement with work.