Work as relationship of gift

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the work relationship as a gift relationship which does not exclude economic advantages, able to guarantee the presence of certain conditions of educability as well as to accompany the action process’ freedom, understood in the sign of interdependence and of the commitment that it requires. Therefore the article initially dwells on the current importance of relationships at work and on the connection between relationships and learning; then it pedagogically interprets the relational dimension as a gift dimension, starting from Sen’s capability approach in contrast to instrumental approaches which identify the relationship with uniquely productive means; finally it analyses in detail the theme of the gift, especially in terms of mutual recognition, and proposes pedagogical reflections on a training adequate to actualize the work relationship as a properly educational encounter, capable of having positive repercussions on the economic and productive side.