What is the Meaning & Definition of hard work

The word work comes from latin, specifically the term tripalium, which was an instrument of torture. The etymology of the term allows us to remember that historically work has been considered as a "punishment" and as something associated with suffering. Based on this consideration it is not strange that there is the concept of hard work, i.e. a work ungrateful, heavy and uncomfortable in any way.

Different types of hard work

It is possible to understand the idea of hard work from various perspectives. First, the regime of slavery is, by definition, how to work less rewarding and, therefore, harder. The work of the slave only allowed basic maintenance and their working conditions have been in some cases singularly harsh (especially in times in which traded with slaves).
Any labour exploitation can be considered hard. In this sense, a more than the eight hours a day and without any rest day is the paradigm of excessive working hours. It should not be forgotten that the celebration of May 1 marks the conquest of eight daily hours of work.
The concept of hard work is not simply a matter of hours of labour but also of working conditions. Thus, unworthy conditions represent another way of understanding what it means hard work.
Aside from the number of hours, the conditions of work and the dignity, there are professional activities resulting hard by its own characteristics: underground mining, fishing on the high seas, some agricultural activities, the work that takes place in the desert, etc.
The hardness depends on many factors: stress, physical effort, responsibility level, schedule, work environment, etc. It is worth remembering that equal work can be very comfortable and rewarding or extremely hard (for example, there are teachers who work in optimal conditions, and others who must deal with situations of permanent stress).

The role of technology

General technological advances have allowed to make work more bearable and comfortable. Physical force has been replaced by machines in most business areas. This technical progress has been very beneficial from a global point of view. Consider the work of field, which in the past was carried out with the direct participation of the man and agricultural machinery now has significantly reduced the physical wear. While technology is a great ally in the labor process, this does not mean that it has gone away the concept of hard work. In fact, mechanization processes have led to another type of hardness, which has faced who didn't find work.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.