The Realities of Work provides a thorough analysis of the diverse nature of work in contemporary industrial society. Drawing on a wide range of evidence from different countries and current theories, it examines key issues such as: what values people attach to work; whether work is becoming more or less intensive; how some jobs come to be defined as 'skilled'; how emotions are increasingly used in jobs; how people 'survive' monotonous jobs; the importance of 'hidden' work; and discrimination at work.