Scott Schieman is Canada Research Chair and Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto. Oliver Cao is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto.
“What I do at work is more important to me than the money I earn.”
If you’re like most people these days, you probably disagree with that statement. In the money-versus-more question, the money factor has gained in popularity.
We posed that question to two national surveys of more than 4,800 Canadian and American workers with help from the Angus Reid Group. Both surveys were designed to be broadly representative of their respective working populations.
We found 63 per cent of Canadians and 58 per cent of Americans disagree with the statement. But it wasn’t always like this. Back in the classic 1977 Quality of Employment Survey in the United States, workers were evenly divided on the money-versus-more question.
To find out what people were thinking when they answered this question, we followed-up. Among the minority who endorsed the more factor – work is more important than the money – one theme emphasized work that blends helping others with growth, meaning and recognition.
“Money is important, and I wouldn’t work for free, but I get a great deal of personal satisfaction in helping people to live more peaceful and connected lives with their dogs,” a 42-year-old dog trainer said. “I’m constantly learning and improving my skill set while on the job.”
Anchoring through helping others links to meaning. “I’m part of our family farm that’s been in this family for 240 years,” a 41-year-old farm hand said. “We feel honoured and dedicated to help feed many and be part of a respectful tradition.”
“I manage the accounting sector of our large family farm and it’s meaningful work to me because it directly affects the well-being of my family – the people that I love the most in my life,” said a 38-year-old administrative assistant.
Anchoring happens when others’ quality of life depends on you. “Since I work with children, I want the best for them,” said a 64-year-old primary school teacher. “I have no room for error regarding their needs and must constantly adapt to their potential to help them evolve.”
Some see their work as part of something bigger than themselves. “I’m making an impact on the future,” said a 34-year-old dance instructor. “The ripple effect of what I teach my students far outweighs what I can earn.”
That ripple effect can anchor others. “I support people who are navigating challenges in their lives (for example, mental health, addiction, homelessness),” said a 34-year-old youth outreach worker. “Supporting them overshadows my desire for higher income.”
Small waves of recognition are fundamental to the more factor. “The kindness of regular customers with whom you establish friendly recognition is priceless,” said a 62-year-old department store cashier. “And when management tells you that customers speak highly of you, it’s gratifying.” The double layer of appreciation amplifies the status boost.
That word “priceless” came up a few times. “To see the smiles on the faces of the seniors I care for is priceless,” said a 52-year-old caretaker.
Ultimately, the money-versus-more question is about values and priorities – and trade-offs.
A 21-year-old communications specialist elaborated: “I value being able to write for a living. It’s a skill I’ve honed and take great pride in. If I have the opportunity to make a decent living doing something I’m passionate about, then it’s worth the lower pay compared to a job with higher wages that would ultimately leave me unsatisfied.”
But values and priorities sometimes change with age as financial realities set in. “When we’re young, single, childless [and a new grad], what we do at work is more important than money because we need the experience to grow in our career,” said a 38-year-old software developer. “Now that I’m married and have family to support – and a gigantic mortgage – how much money I earn is far more important.”
A 64-year-old researcher echoed the sentiment: “When I was younger, I would have felt that the work was more important than the money. Now I have less optimism about work being as meaningful as I wish it could be, so I focus more on earning to have a decent retirement – but I think not focusing on money when I was younger has partly led to this situation today.”
Cost of living tips the money-more scale. “I love my job, and it’s very important, but it’s not a calling like a nurse or firefighter,” said a 45-year-old closed-caption editor. “It does, however, make peoples’ lives easier, and for that, I’m grateful to participate in it. But the money isn’t enough to survive in a major city.”
“I’ve previously worked a job that was very rewarding but the pay wasn’t great and it makes your quality of life far too low to be able to appreciate much,” said a 39-year-old lawyer.
As a 52-year-old automotive parts delivery driver declared: “Money puts food on the table – job satisfaction doesn’t!”
That’s fair. But the more factor adds its own special sauce. Even as the money factor is (understandably) more prominent, we shouldn’t lose sight of what those essential ingredients bring to the table.
This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at tgam.ca/leadershiplab and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.