A imagem do trabalho: um estudo qualitativo usando fotografia em grupos focais

Photography is a kind of image to investigate the meanings imparted by man, through the use of recording techniques, feedback, self-portrait or model (Neiva-Silva & Koller, 2002). The aim of this research is to analyze current image of work using photography as a model. The 50 subjects were divided into ten focus groups according to the nature of their occupation: professionals responsible for either training or recruiting labor force, those holding a higher-level degree, as well as under qualified workers from both informal and formal segments. The subjects were to choose from 132 pictures (36 colorful and 96 black & white) that depicted working situations. Participants had then to individually write down the numbers corresponding to the pictures they had chosen and briefly say how meaningful each of them was. Answers were analyzed through thematic content analysis techniques. The inductive analysis identified three thematic category answers: i) the macro context of work, ii) worker attributes and iii) economy sector. One of the conclusions was that work image is strongly associated with macro context issues and worker attributes although, regardless of group. Human Resource professionals and those holding a degree focus on arguments and reflections macro context. The professionals with low qualification maintain a distinction between real work (which guarantees survival) and the ideal one (developed by qualified professionals).