1 the belief that work is valuable as an activity and is morally good
2 the way that someone feels about the importance of work, usually the belief that it is important to work hard:
The guilds upheld with rigidity a work ethic that evaluated members based on their expertise, not on religious affiliation.
These tensions were exacerbated by management's desire to inculcate a regimented work ethic and to increase productivity.
Such a cultural orientation would downplay traditional notions of self-determination and the work ethic.
Their punishment and segregation authenticated the social order and helped to establish the work ethic.
She emphasised her strong work ethic and trades union membership.
To overcome it, both a solid work ethic and self-motivation were needed.
When a farmer has a work ethic, his way of working, and particularly some of the requirements he sets himself, take on a special meaning.
The result is that farmers with a work ethic consider an amount of work that would be deemed intolerable elsewhere to be 'normal'.
