Working hard for more than just the money

Since Labour Day means a long weekend, we should probably take the time to reflect why we do our work and if we are doing it well enough.

WHEN I was in primary school, my idea of a dream job was to be either a policeman or a soldier. I'm not sure why the two were my top picks, but it probably had something to do with guns and having a position of authority.

This changed in university when I thought that music could be my calling. A band was formed. We played a gig or two, but the Magnum 5-Digit (we had five members) died a quick death upon graduation.

I've chosen journalism for the last 10 years or so, and it is a good job.

Yesterday was Labour Day. It really does not mean much to me as I normally treat it as a holiday, another day off from work. But this year is different. This year, many people, whether they are Malaysian or not, have lost their jobs because business has been bad.

Those working in factories are the hardest hit as richer countries like the US and Europe are in recession. When American and European consumers stop buying, Asian factory workers lose their jobs because there is no sense making anything if demand is weak.

The latest evidence of how far the downturn has spread is a story in the Wall Street Journal recently. Apparently, Mongolian sheep herders are being forced out of their tents as banks foreclose on their property. Previously, the lenders gave loans because the price of cashmere was high, driven by consumers in the West. The fall in cashmere price led to a scramble by banks to recover their loans.

So, Labour Day this year is sort of like Thanksgiving Day that's celebrated in the US. Those who still have jobs should be thankful. We should be glad our employer appreciates our ability and is willing to pay us every month for our efforts. It is a privilege to have a job.

Over the years, the job market has changed. Gone are the days of people working for one employer until they retire. The pursuit of profits means that companies are more willing to invest in talented workers. Job-hopping no longer carries negative connotations, but rather, it supplements the resume, an indication of the person's value.

Although the global recession has probably put a stop to frequent job changes, I believe it will be temporary and the fight for talent will continue once the economy recovers.

This also means that employers have to work harder to keep their best workers. This could mean anything from better pay, better benefits, to providing a better workplace environment.

Jobs are also more global in nature. Large multinationals will have the reach to hire the best from around the world and move them around as they see fit. One example is PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, which made Indra Nooyi, an Indian, its chief executive officer in 2006.

More importantly, the public also needs to realise that the changing times means that there are more job opportunities than previously thought in traditional areas. For example, the police force also needs accountants to help catch smarter crooks that do not rob banks.

Engineers do not necessarily have to work for construction companies as they can also work for hypermarket operators like Tesco. It even hires scientists who study and test food products to determine their safety.

Since Labour Day also means a long weekend, we should probably take the time to reflect why we do our work and if we are doing it well enough.

The majority of people work because they have to. They probably do not hate what they are doing, but they have the ability to do it. So they will do it to put food on the table, pay the mortgage and pay for the kids' education. There is nothing wrong with this because what is important is to make money from an honest job.

Some people are blessed and find the work that they love. This means work is not work because they like doing it. And because they like doing it, they often do more than what is expected and are typically rewarded well for their effort. They are highly sought after, which means that there will always be job offers.

This is what we should all strive for. Happy Workers Day!