Working hard or hardly working | Can employers still demand a strong work ethic in today's market?

If you ask any employer what an ideal worker is like to them, most will say they value staff who are constantly looking for new ways to improve themselves and contribute more to the company.

Having good communication skills, an ability to adapt to change, and willingness to take feedback effectively, are also likely to be on the list of desirable attributes in an ideal candidate.

However, a new study from ADP found that a “strong work ethic” is the number one skill companies are looking for in a new hire. This is probably unsurprising news as, at the end of the day, it’s a business’ goal to drive profit and innovation. So, hiring staff who want to work hard is always going to be a priority.

But what does having a “strong work ethic” actually mean? In our society, we have a historical belief that working hard is virtuous and the sign of someone with good character. It’s ingrained in the idea that a person has values focused on the importance of work.