Work is considered by many as a vital aspect of human existence, not only by providing an income but also giving purpose and direction to their lives. Work has evolved over the many years of human existence, and every few decades, a new generation emerges and replaces the previous generation in the labour market. Understandings of the meaning of work are the product of decades of tradition and inquiry across several disciplines. With the rise of each generation of young workers there is a lack of understanding about what work means to them and how this new cohort perceives work. This is specifically relative as industries worldwide and the current emergent workforce are severely struck by a great disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Motivated by developments, the aims of this study are to investigate the meaning of work held by young hospitality workers and the different ways in which they perceive work, and how their meaning of work affects the way they view their work and job. The research analyses how work has developed to its current form and reviews the meaning of work in literature in order to show what meanings and avenues have been uncovered and what tools were used to explore meaning. Adopting a qualitative lens, this study collected data through several focus groups followed by a series of semi-structured interviews using a sample that represent young workers, who are currently being referred to in some literature as Gen Z, and work in the Australian hospitality industry. The findings provide insights on the current sources of meaning, the different conceptualisation of work and how the meaning of work is perceived in the 21st century. [...]