The paper analizes changes and stability in work life patterns and reflects on the impliocations of change and stability for our future daily life and work. Ongoing changes are discussed under the headings of value changes, globalization, technological developments, growing work force diversity and unemployment. Stable elements are seen to remain with reference to philosophical-anthropological meanings of work as well as the societal and economic relevance of working. Ongoing changes imply both, a greater self-reliance of working people and their need to think globally while acting locally. The paper ends with a reflection of the growing need to reconceptualize the very notion of work itself in terms of the requirements for a more just redistiribution of work and its fruits in society as well as its implications for leisure time.
