From the point of view of the employer, it is in any case…
“From the point of view of the employer, it is in any case simply an item of cost, to be reduced to a minimum if it cannot be eliminated altogether, say, by automation. From the point of view of the workman, it is a "disutility"; to work is to make a sacrifice of one's leisure and comfort, and wages are a kind of compensation for the sacrifice.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Employers see labor as a cost to cut; workers view it as a sacrifice compensated by wages.
In simple terms: Work is a trade‑off between cost and leisure.
Key Takeaway
Balance cost reduction with fair compensation.
Themes
economics
labor
automation
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- budget cuts
- automation decisions
- wage negotiations
- policy making
Key Concepts
cost-benefit analysis
human capital
ethical business
Questions to Reflect On
- How can firms cut costs without harming workers?
- What alternatives to automation exist?
A Different Perspective
Reducing labor may harm morale and productivity.