Critical Challenges to the Sociology of Work: From a Perspective of Russian Labor Studies

Global changes currently roiling the contemporary world of work present a significant challenge for the sociology of work. The lifestyles of many people are becoming more dynamic and uncertain. As work itself starts to lose its familiar outlines, the employment paradigm that formed during the industrial period seems increasingly inapplicable. Such transformations give rise to criticism of existing concepts and the emergence of new discourses that simultaneously expand and complicate an understanding of the prospects for further development. In this article, we attempt to uncover problems that limit the possibility of generalizing scientific understanding in the field of sociology of work. Particular attention is paid to the integration of Russian experience into the global agenda. The review highlights the importance of clarifying the blurred conceptual framework of the sociology of work, enhancing the distinction between work and life, and identifying the possibilities and limitations of using big data for empirical analysis. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to counter the fragmentation of the sociology of work and its “dissolution” into other areas of knowledge by providing a strong theoretical background while maintaining the comparability of measurements. Addressing these gaps is essential for a more accurate reflection of modern labor relations.