South African education is faced with a wide array of problems, ranging from a shortage of educators (Xaba, 2011), to poor governance, poor performance, educators experiencing a negative organisational climate, and low morale (Jackson & Rothmann, 2006; Mentz, 2007). Modisaotsile (2012) further found that these educators experience a lack of overall commitment and focus. As it is known that experiencing more meaning in ones’ personal life and working environment leads to both positive health and work outcomes (Day & Rottinghaus, 2003; Harris & Thoresen, 2003; Lent, 2004; Steger, Frazer, Oishi, & Kaler, 2006), this study aims to make a contribution to the South African education sector by addressing means to improving meaning. This research could potentially help the South African education system by identifying factors that increase meaning in work; thus, helping to attract and retain good educators. In addition, the study aims to contribute to the literature by distinguishing meaning from other positive psychology concepts and to provide a clearer overall understanding thereof. Meaning in work in this study refers to the meaning, significance and/or purpose individuals derive from their work. Meaningful work should be seen as the umbrella term which covers a whole range of constructs including, meaningfulness, and the meaning of work (Steger, Pickering, Shin, & Dik, 2009). A qualitative design with a phenomenological strategy was used to uncover perceptions from the convenience sample (n=20) of secondary school educators. Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews with open-ended questions were used to collect the data from participants. Participants were also asked to diarise experiences relating to meaning for the following five working days after the interview, in order to support, strengthen, and validate the interviews’ results. The research findings were that meaning is seen by participants in this study as purpose and significance. Main antecedents were related to the transfer of knowledge and making a positive difference; whereas having positive, trusting relationships with learners, colleagues and parents, as well as feedback which was also important. Mechanisms to create meaning included effort and conscientiousness, as well as preparation as the most prominent mechanisms. Outcomes included happiness and meaningfulness and work engagement. This research study contributes to existing literature on meaning by giving a clear conceptualisation of the concept. Other contributions include a clear differentiation between meaning and meaningfulness, and that the meaning educators experience in their work might be linked to their specific context and key roles as educators. / MA (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

South African education is faced with a wide array of problems, ranging from a shortage of educators (Xaba, 2011), to poor governance, poor performance, educators experiencing a negative organisational climate, and low morale (Jackson & Rothmann, 2006; Mentz, 2007). Modisaotsile (2012) further found that these educators experience a lack of overall commitment and focus. As it is known that experiencing more meaning in ones’ personal life and working environment leads to both positive health and work outcomes (Day & Rottinghaus, 2003; Harris & Thoresen, 2003; Lent, 2004; Steger, Frazer, Oishi, & Kaler, 2006), this study aims to make a contribution to the South African education sector by addressing means to improving meaning. This research could potentially help the South African education system by identifying factors that increase meaning in work; thus, helping to attract and retain good educators. In addition, the study aims to contribute to the literature by distinguishing meaning from other positive psychology concepts and to provide a clearer overall understanding thereof. Meaning in work in this study refers to the meaning, significance and/or purpose individuals derive from their work. Meaningful work should be seen as the umbrella term which covers a whole range of constructs including, meaningfulness, and the meaning of work (Steger, Pickering, Shin, & Dik, 2009). A qualitative design with a phenomenological strategy was used to uncover perceptions from the convenience sample (n=20) of secondary school educators. Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews with open-ended questions were used to collect the data from participants. Participants were also asked to diarise experiences relating to meaning for the following five working days after the interview, in order to support, strengthen, and validate the interviews’ results. The research findings were that meaning is seen by participants in this study as purpose and significance. Main antecedents were related to the transfer of knowledge and making a positive difference; whereas having positive, trusting relationships with learners, colleagues and parents, as well as feedback which was also important. Mechanisms to create meaning included effort and conscientiousness, as well as preparation as the most prominent mechanisms. Outcomes included happiness and meaningfulness and work engagement. This research study contributes to existing literature on meaning by giving a clear conceptualisation of the concept. Other contributions include a clear differentiation between meaning and meaningfulness, and that the meaning educators experience in their work might be linked to their specific context and key roles as educators. / MA (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-07-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_ftb_me_assis.pdf: 587365 bytes, checksum: 6e9b231a8b05653413e5a30722490978 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Governo de Angola / O objetivo principal deste trabalho é investigar o significado do trabalho docente comparando as percepções dos professores de duas escolas públicas, a Escola do I Ciclo nº 152 localizada em Angola, no município dos Gambos e o Colégio Brasileiro, Ernani Rodrigues, localizado em Assis/SP. Para análise dos dados seguiu-se o procedimento proposto por Bardin (1999), que se organiza em três fases: préanálise, exploração do material e tratamento dos resultados (inferência e interpretação), em função dos objetivos propostos inicialmente obtiveram-se alguns dos seguintes resultados relativamente às categorias definidoras do significado do trabalho para os professores: o propósito social é construído mais sobre a base ocupacional e menos sobre a cultural e por isso, não difere entre os professores angolanos e brasileiros, que sofrem muito mais com a indisciplina e desrespeito dos alunos devido à diminuição da sua autoridade como conseqüência da introdução do estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente; apesar das oportunidades de aprendizagem fazerem parte da realidade dos professores dos dois países, elas cumprem funções diferentes, afetadas pelos respectivos contextos sociais recentes; a autonomia do professor angolano é minada por um arranjo cultural que mistura comunitarismo e assistencialismo; a centralidade do trabalho para os professores é mais determinada pelo valor e qualidade do tempo gasto com o trabalho, do que pelo seu volume e finalmente, a diminuição da autoridade docente está relacionada com um intervencionismo maior do estado nas questões da escola. No decurso da análise que se pretendeu fazer sobre os principais resultados conseguidos com o estudo, foram produzidas as seguintes conclusões: para que o trabalho docente tenha sentido, ele precisa de: permitir que o professor ofereça a sua contribuição social; ser um trabalho no qual ele possa seguir... / With this work, we want to study the meaning of work for teachers, comparing their perception in two public schools of two different countries (I Cycle, School nº 152 from Angola located in Gambos and College Ernani Rodrigues, from Brazil located in Assis/SP). To analyze the data we use Bardin’s (1999) procedure that has been organized in three fases: pre-analyses, material exploration and data treatment (inference and interpretation). Fowling the goals proposed we get some of this results to the categories that define the meaning of work more on the occupational base and less on cultural, because of this, it’s not different in both countries, but Brazilians suffer more with student’s indiscipline and disrespect, caused by a decrease of authority after the children and teenager status; even if the opportunities of learning are part of Angolan and teacher’s work, they have different functions for them, affected by a especial cultural arrangement that mixed comunitarism and assitencialism in Angola. The centrality of work is determinate by the value and quality of the working time, more than its volume, finally, the decrease of the teacher’s authority in Brazil; it’s related with a government more interventional in school issue. During the analyses of the main results of the study, we produce the fowling conclusions: teachers work can be meaningful if let them make a contribution, be a work were he can teach an practice moral qualities with students, if offers him different opportunities of tasks, if he can work freely, have contact with partners, students, parent’s students and it happen in a good environment, honest and cooperative; don’t use the space of family, friends and pleasure, were he is recognized by his contribution for long time, let’s him work with pleasure and uses his experience

The purpose of this study was to determine managers' perceptions of the relationship between spirituality and work performance. The sample consisted of twelve senior managers from different organisations. Semi structured interviews were used to gather the data. The data was qualitatively analysed and themes were identified. The findings indicated that spirituality promotes the healthy development of individuals by assisting with their own self-awareness, helping them find inner peace and dealing with stress and depression. Respondents also felt that spirituality enhances teamwork and redefines the concept of success in terms of engaging in competition, having unselfish motives and encouraging honesty. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for practice and for future research. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to determine managers' perceptions of the relationship between spirituality and work performance. The sample consisted of twelve senior managers from different organisations. Semi structured interviews were used to gather the data. The data was qualitatively analysed and themes were identified. The findings indicated that spirituality promotes the healthy development of individuals by assisting with their own self-awareness, helping them find inner peace and dealing with stress and depression. Respondents also felt that spirituality enhances teamwork and redefines the concept of success in terms of engaging in competition, having unselfish motives and encouraging honesty. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for practice and for future research. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Our work and the organization in which we work play significant roles in many of our lives. Yet, theoretically grounded understanding of when is it that the relationships with our work and that with our work environment make a great place to work is almost non-existent. So far the organizations that feature in the Fortune Best Companies to Work For, or the Forbes the Happiest Companies to Work For, or the Glassdoor Best Places to Work, etc., are considered as proxies for great places to work. However, the characterizations of the antecedents of these workplaces are fragmented, idiosyncratic, and confounding, as they cover a wide span of factors (e.g., pride, job satisfaction, flexibility, inspiring leadership, camaraderie, trust, work-life balance, etc.), and adopt a one-size fits all approach, without a theoretical underpinning, limiting their generalizability and usefulness. In my dissertation, I addressed these shortcomings through the fit perspective and through the mechanism of meaning in and at work. I proposed the meaning-through-fit model of great places to work, underpinned by identity (Stryker & Berke, 2000), social identity (Ashforth & Mael, 1989), and social information processing theories (Salancik & Pfeffer, 1978). The model hypothesized that the employees’ perception of a great place to work is built and sustained by meaning in work (from the relationship with the work itself) based on the underlying person-work fit, and by meaning at work (from the relationship with the work environment) based on the underlying person-supervisor, the person-group, and the person-organization fits. I tested the proposed model using a mixed methods approach, with the help of three Studies. In Study 1, I conducted 26 semi-structured interviews to assess the face validity of the model and to obtain inputs for the survey instrument and for the scenario descriptions to be used in Study 2. In Study 2, I tested the hypothesized model with the help of quantitative data gathered through a three-wave Main Survey with participants from MTurk (N=481), after two Pilot Surveys (N=95 and 247). I confirmed the results through Scenario Analysis with participants from MTurk (N=399). Out of the seven main variables in the proposed model, I developed scales to measure three variables (employees’ perception of a great place to work, meaning at work, and person-group fit), and refined the scales to measure four variables (person-work fit, person-supervisor fit, person-organization fit, and meaning in work). In Study 3, I conducted 45 structured interviews in order to gain a deeper understanding of the findings from Study 2. The quantitative data gathered in Study 2 provided partial support to the proposed model, indicating that meaning in work partly mediated the relationship between person-work fit and employees’ perception of a great places to work, and meaning at work partly mediated the relationship between person-organization fit and employees’ perception of a great place to work. The data also indicated that meaning at work is the more significant predictor compared to meaning in work. Among the fits, person-organization fit mattered the most. Study 3 provided interesting insights and explanations about the findings from Study 2. The meaning-through-fit model of great places to work works around the problematic one-size fits all approach, acknowledges the differences among the employees in the understanding of and expectations from a great places to work, offers increased generalizability and a pathway to leaders to build great places to work from the employees’ perspective, and contributes theoretically and empirically to Positive Organizational Scholarship. / Graduate / 2019-08-26

[pt] Esta tese teve como objeto de pesquisa a associação de aspectos econômicos e sociais ao fenômeno da dotação de sentidos ao trabalho. Considerados de forma articulada, tais aspectos viabilizam a observação do trabalhador como um ser social, passível de uma análise sob a perspectiva teórica de classes. A Teoria dos Condicionantes Sociais, de Pierre Bourdieu (2015), destacou-se como uma lente teórica útil na consideração deste objeto de pesquisa. Estabelecido o recorte de pesquisa - jovens trabalhadores do Centro do Rio de Janeiro - os objetivos deste estudo: a) compreender como se dá a dotação de sentidos ao trabalho entre jovens de diferentes classes sociais; b) remontar as origens do sentido do trabalho comuns a cada classe social entre os jovens; e c) identificar os condicionantes sociais do campo profissional referentes à cada classe social. Foram realizadas 18 entrevistas em profundidade com jovens trabalhadores que, para efeitos de análise, foram divididos em dois grupos: jovens zona norte - de estratos sociais menos abastados; e jovens zona sul – de estratos sociais mais afluentes. Em linhas gerais, nos dois grupos destacou-se a percepção do trabalho como uma forma de subsistência. Entre os jovens zona norte, a atividade profissional é carregada de forte sentido moral, já dentre os jovens zona sul, consideram-se também aspectos hedonistas referentes ao trabalho, que seria o exercício de uma vocação, dotada com uma função de relevância e impacto social. O cotidiano profissional e a família emergem como categorias que explicam a origem dos sentidos atribuídos ao trabalho para esses dois grupos. Todavia, dentre os jovens zona sul, depreende-se a percepção de que tal construção se daria de forma reflexiva, sendo ponderado por seus próprios valores e crenças. A socialização primária dos jovens zona norte é marcada por uma considerável fragilidade da sua experiência escolar e familiar - no sentido de provisão material. Em contraponto, os jovens zona sul gozam de uma experiência escolar axiomática e amplo suporte familiar. / [en] This thesis is about the association of economic and social aspects to the meaning of work phenomena. Considered in an articulated way, these aspects enable the observation of the worker as a social agent, through the theoretical perspective of social classes. Pierre Bourdieu s Theory of Social Conditioning stood out as a theoretical lens useful in the consideration of this object of research. Once stablished one specific group of interest – young workers at the Center of Rio de Janeiro City – the research objectives were: a) understand how the meaning of work phenomena happens among young workers from different social classes; b) set back the sources of meaning of work common to each social class; and c) identify the social determinants of the professional field related to each social class. Eighteen in-depth interviews were carried out with young workers who, for the purposes of analysis, were divided into two groups: north zone - concerning less well-off social strata; and south zone - concerning more affluent social strata. In general, the two groups emphasized the perception of work as a form of subsistence. Among the young people from the north zone group, professional activity has a strong moral sense, and among the ones from the south zone group, some hedonistic aspects are related to work, which would also be the performance of a vocation, endowed with a social function of relevance and impact. Work context and the family emerge as categories that explain the sources of the meanings attributed to work for both groups. However, among the subjects from the south zone group, there is a perception that such construction would take place in a reflexive way, being filtered by its own values and beliefs. The primary socialization of the young workers from the north zone group is marked by a considerable fragility of their scholar and familiar experience - in the sense of material provision. In contrast, the subjects from the southern zone group enjoy an axiomatic school experience and broad family support.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Neste estudo aborda-se a qualificaÃÃo profissional de jovens considerando-a como um espaÃo produtor de significados. Buscou-se nessa perspectiva, analisar o significado do trabalho para jovens entre 18 e 28 anos que participaram do PRONATEC/BSM â Programa Nacional do Acesso ao Ensino TÃcnico e Emprego/Brasil sem misÃria no municÃpio de Sobral â CE. O programa tem como objetivo atender pessoas em situaÃÃo de baixa renda e vulnerabilidade social, desarte optou-se por pela perspectiva da pobreza como fenÃmeno multidimensional. O procedimento de coleta dos dados foi realizado por meio de 25 entrevistas semiestruturadas individuais para identificar a centralidade, os atributos valorativos, os atributos descritivos e a hierarquia dos atributos do trabalho. As entrevistas foram gravadas e submetidas ao software IRAMUTEQ, com utilizaÃÃo da nuvem de palavras e anÃlise de similitude. Os achados indicaram que os jovens participam de qualquer curso seguindo uma Ãtica generalista, acreditando que assim serÃo inseridos no mercado de trabalho. A inserÃÃo està atrelada a ter condiÃÃes financeiras para custear o ensino superior e isso depende de conseguir um emprego em uma empresa de calÃados especÃfica que possui convÃnios com faculdades particulares. Nos resultados sobre o significado do trabalho identificou-se que trata-se de algo central na vida dos jovens pesquisados e deve oferecer um bom ambiente, boas condiÃÃes materiais, espaÃo para a realizaÃÃo pessoal e uma forma de sobrevivÃncia. Os jovens pobres percebem o trabalho como algo estressante, que causa sofrimento devido aos conflitos com os veteranos, possui ritmo acelerado e à repetitivo. Para os jovens pobres o trabalho nÃo à apenas uma forma de sobrevivÃncia, como identificado na literatura, indicando que os valores em relaÃÃo ao trabalho estÃo se modificando. No que tange ao PRONATEC, o programa necessita de um estudo mais aprofundado sobre o seu impacto e as possibilidades de empregabilidade para a populaÃÃo jovem. Por meio dos resultados, novas estratÃgias devem ser consideradas para melhorar as polÃticas pÃblicas de inserÃÃo laboral visando, assim, adequar a inserÃÃo no mercado de trabalho de jovens por meio da orientaÃÃo profissional. / This study addresses the professional qualification of young people considering it as a meaning-producing space. The aim of this study was to analyze the meaning of the work for young people between 18 and 28 years of age who participated in PRONATEC/BSM - National Program of Access to Technical Education and Employment/Brazil without poverty in the municipality of Sobral - CE. The program aims to assist people in situations of low income and social vulnerability, disciple was chosen for the perspective of poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon. The data collection procedure was performed through 25 individual semi-structured interviews to identify the centrality, the evaluative attributes, the descriptive attributes and the hierarchy of the attributes of the work. The interviews were recorded and submitted to IRAMUTEQ software, using word cloud and similarity analysis. The findings indicated that young people participate in any course following a generalist view, believing that this will be inserted in the labor market. The insertion is linked to having the financial conditions to pay for higher education and this depends on getting a job in a specific footwear company that has agreements with private colleges. In the results about the meaning of the work, it was identified that this is a central thing in the life of the young people surveyed and should offer a good environment, good material conditions, space for personal fulfillment and a way of survival. Poor young people perceive work as stressful, causing distress due to conflicts with veterans, fast paced and repetitive. For poor young people, work is not just a form of survival, as identified in the literature, indicating that values in relation to work are changing. With regard to PRONATEC, the program needs a more in-depth study on its impact and employability possibilities for the young population. Through the results, new strategies must be considered in order to improve the public policies of labor insertion, aiming at adjusting the insertion in the labor market of young people through professional orientation.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo compreender os sentidos que os profissionais que atuam nas agências de publicidade de Porto Alegre atribuem ao seu trabalho. Devido ao ramo ter como praxe a utilização de algumas formas diferenciadas de vínculo de trabalho, além do tradicional (CLT), pretendeu-se verificar se esse aspecto se reflete nos sentidos que os publicitários atribuem ao seu trabalho. Os participantes desta pesquisa foram os trabalhadores das áreas de Atendimento, Criação, Mídia, Estúdio, Planejamento e Produções (gráfica e eletrônica), consideradas como áreas-fim das agências de publicidade. Utilizaramse, como base teórica do tema principal desta pesquisa, os estudos do grupo MOW – Meaning of Work (1987) e Morin (2001), além de autores brasileiros. A pesquisa teve uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, organizada em duas etapas, sendo a primeira de natureza exploratória e a segunda, uma survey com questionários. A primeira etapa contou com a participação de cinco profissionais do ramo, investigados por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada, analisadas de forma qualitativa (técnica de análise de conteúdo). Utilizaram-se nesta etapa, também, dados documentais e bibliográficos a respeito do ramo em estudo. A segunda etapa contou com a participação de 161 sujeitos, todos profissionais de onze diferentes agências de publicidade da cidade de Porto Alegre. A aplicação do questionário seguiu um instrumento elaborado por Morin (2001) e adaptado por este pesquisador. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva e multivariada (análise fatorial), utilizando-se o software estatístico SPSS 14.0. Os resultados apontam que os publicitários são geralmente jovens, com um bom nível de educação formal e de classe média. Os vínculos trabalhistas diferenciados são praticados no setor, principalmente os de estágio e prestador de serviço. Para os publicitários, os sentidos atribuídos ao trabalho relacionam-se com a possibilidade de aplicação da criatividade e inovação no trabalho, o prazer que este proporciona, o reconhecimento das suas competências, o pagamento de um salário adequado e a possibilidade do aprender e aperfeiçoar-se. Os resultados apontam, ainda, que existem algumas diferenças para os profissionais com diferentes vínculos quanto aos sentidos do trabalho, mas somente na relação entre estagiários e os que têm vínculo tradicional (CLT). O apoio da liderança, a oportunidade de aprendizado e o convívio com profissionais destacados no ramo contribuem para atribuir sentido ao trabalho do estagiário, em relação aos profissionais com vínculo CLT. / This study aims at understanding what gives sense to work to professionals working in advertising agencies in Porto Alegre. Since this area often uses some different forms of work agreements, besides the traditional one (CLT), we have attempted to investigate whether this aspect reflects on the meaning that advertisers attribute to their work. The participants of this research were workers in the areas of front office, creation, media, studio, planning, and productions (both graphic and electronic), considered as areas related to the advertising business. As a theoretical ground for the main theme of this research, we have used the MOW group – Meaning of Work (1987) and Morin (2001), as well as Brazilian authors. The research has involved both a qualitative and quantitative approach, organized in two phases: the first one having an exploratory nature and the second one was a questionnaire survey. Five professionals participated in the first phase, which involved a semi-structured interview that was qualitatively analyzed (content analysis). In this phase, both documental and bibliographical data on this field were used. The second phase had the participation of 161 subjects, all of them working in 11 advertising agencies in Porto Alegre. The questionnaire was applied following an instrument designed by Morin (2001), which was adapted by the author of this study. Quantitative data were analyzed through techniques of descriptive and multi-varied statistics (factorial analysis), using the statistical software SPSS 14.0. Results point out that advertising workers are usually young, with a good education level and belonging to the medium class. Differentiated work agreements are practiced in this area, mainly those related to training and outsourcing. To advertisers, the meanings attributed to work are related to the possibility of applying creativity and innovation to work, the pleasure provided by their work, the acknowledgement of their competences, suitable earnings, and the possibility of learning and improvement. Results also point some differences as to the meaning attributed to work by professionals with different work agreements, but only among trainees and those who keep traditional work agreements (CLT). The support provided by the leaders, the opportunity of learning and living with renowned professionals mostly contribute towards attributing meaning to work among trainees as compared to professionals with traditional work agreements.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-10-02T11:57:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JULIANA EVANGELISTA BRASILEIRO.pdf: 1369266 bytes, checksum: 8203f876cc5d809c9e6da485f5a7ae9b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-02T11:57:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JULIANA EVANGELISTA BRASILEIRO.pdf: 1369266 bytes, checksum: 8203f876cc5d809c9e6da485f5a7ae9b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-18 / The present study is the result of research carried out in an organization that Works in the field entertainment and leisure. It is a descriptive exploratory case study whose main objective was to investigate the perception of the workers in the circus in relation to their work environment based on the speech of the circus workers. The specific objectives of the study are: to understand the work environment of the circus workers and investigate the meanings that they attribute to their work, The theoretic base of the research is a psychodynamic approach to the work that includes the following categories: work organization, work conditions, inter-subjective relationships established within the organization, experiences of pleasure and suffering as well as strategies used by the workers in order to minimize the suffering. For the collection of data, semi-structured individual interviews with sixteen circus workers were used. After the literal transcription, the interviews were analyzed in accordance with the discourse analysis. The data indicate that the work organization, the work conditions and the work relations have similar characteristics to other organizations, forming, in this study, a category called administration of the work. The relationship and the liberty in the work are perceived as much as advantages as disadvantages to the circus workers. The workers consider the relationship with colleagues and bosses satisfactory, however the living and working together with the people from the job became a difficulty. There is a liberty/autonomy in relation to the presentation and rehearsals, however, it is necessary to the rules and norms, in addition to the need to be at the disposal of the circus most of the day, weekends and holidays. The working conditions are satisfactory, taking into consideration the adaptation during the trips (climate, noise, etc.). Working for a well-known name in the market, having your work card signed (for some) and satisfactory salaries were factories to represent security for the circus workers studied. The name of the company and the demands of the public, on the other hand, cause pressure and overwork. A variety of tasks which produce satisfaction by accumulating new functions and better salaries also cause overwork. The experiences of pleasure, those of suffering, the defensive strategies and the meaning of work, formed the second category denominate as subjective aspects of work. There is great satisfaction for those who participate in the work of the circus, for they consider the work to be gratifying and permits them to reach their objectives, fulfillment and survival, as well as bringing about a great deal of pleasure and being the pride of the family. The recognition of the public and the press, and the appreciation of their own work also brings pleasure to the circus worker. On the other hand the workers claim physical and mental fatigue with the work. There is also dissatisfaction in relation to the salary, rights and benefits, besides the lack of recognition of the circus as culture and art, by society and the government which, for example, result in difficulties to install themselves in cities. The defensive strategies used indicate denial an/or rationalization represented by certain behaviours, such as: the search for a close relationship with colleagues and bosses, taking into consideration their daily living; the conformity in relation to the work environment, accidents, etc. Considering all of the previous categories, the meaning that the workers attribute to their work have factors in common with other organizations, such as: security and stability of tasks, pleasure and pride in the work and recognition of the work. However, there are the meanings that are specific to the circus in virtue of their life style. The family’s relationships established in the circus plays a central role in the life of circus workers, which guide the forms of work, of living, of learning, of values and traditions acquired by family inheritance. / O presente estudo é resultado de uma pesquisa realizada em uma organização que atua no ramo de entretenimento e lazer. Trata-se de um estudo de caso de caráter descritivoexploratório com o objetivo geral de investigar a percepção dos trabalhadores do circo em relação ao seu contexto de trabalho com base em seu discurso. Tem como objetivos específicos: apreender o contexto de trabalho dos trabalhadores do circo e investigar os sentidos que os trabalhadores circenses atribuem ao seu trabalho. O embasamento teórico da pesquisa é a abordagem psicodinâmica do trabalho que abrange as seguintes categorias: organização do trabalho, condições de trabalho, relações intersubjetivas estabelecidas no interior da organização, vivências de prazer e sofrimento e estratégias utilizadas pelos trabalhadores para enfrentar o sofrimento. Para a coleta de dados, utilizaram-se entrevistas semi-estruturadas individuais com dezesseis trabalhadores de um circo. Após transcrição literal, elas foram analisadas conforme a análise de discurso. Os dados indicam que a organização do trabalho, as condições de trabalho e as relações de trabalho abarcam características semelhantes a outras organizações, foram aglutinadas em uma categoria denominada nesta pesquisa de gestão do trabalho. O relacionamento e a liberdade no trabalho são percebidos tanto como vantagens como desvantagens para os trabalhadores do circo. Consideram o relacionamento com colegas e chefes satisfatório, porém a convivência (morar e trabalhar) com as pessoas do trabalho torna-se uma dificuldade. Existe uma liberdade/autonomia em relação à realização de números e aos ensaios, porém, é necessário o cumprimento de regras e de normas, além da necessidade de estar à disposição do circo a maior parte do dia, aos finais de semana e feriados. As condições de trabalho são satisfatórias, apesar de exigir uma constante adaptação durante as viagens (clima, barulho, etc.). Trabalhar em uma empresa de renome no mercado, ter carteira assinada (para alguns) e salários satisfatórios, geram segurança aos trabalhadores do circo pesquisado. O nome da empresa e as exigências do público, por outro lado, provocam pressão e sobrecarga, além da variedade de tarefas que produz tanto satisfação por agregar novas funções e salários como sobrecarga no trabalho. As vivências de prazer, as de sofrimento, as estratégias defensivas e os sentidos do trabalho, formaram a segunda grande categoria denominada de aspectos subjetivos do trabalho. Há uma grande satisfação dos participantes por trabalharem no circo, pois consideram o trabalho gratificante e que proporciona o alcance de objetivos, conquista e sobrevivência, além de provocar prazer e ser um orgulho para a família circense. O reconhecimento do público e da empresa, e a valorização do seu próprio trabalho também são indicadores de prazer ao trabalhador circense. Por outro lado, os participantes relataram cansaço físico e mental no trabalho. Existe também relatos de insatisfação em relação ao salário, direitos e benefícios, além da falta de reconhecimento do circo como cultura e arte por parte da sociedade e do governo, o que resulta em dificuldades de instalarem-se nas cidades, por exemplo. As estratégias defensivas utilizadas indicam a negação e/ou a racionalização representadas por determinados comportamentos, tais como: a busca de bom relacionamento com colegas e chefes, levando em consideração a convivência diária com eles; o conformismo relativo ao ambiente de trabalho e outros, também se caracterizam como estratégias defensivas. Abordando todas as categorias anteriores, os sentidos que os trabalhadores atribuem ao seu trabalho possuem fatores em comum com outras organizações, tais como: segurança e estabilidade, variedade de tarefas, prazer e orgulho no trabalho e reconhecimento do trabalho. Porém, existem sentidos específicos do circo, em virtude do estilo de vida circense. As relações familiares estabelecidas no circo encontram lugar central na vida dos circenses o que norteia as formas de trabalho, de vida, de aprendizagem, de valores e tradições adquiridos por herança familiar.