What is paid employment called?

So, what do we call it when you’re, like, actually getting paid for a job? You know, the usual 9-to-5 (or, let’s be honest, more like 8-to-6 these days!) kind of thing? It’s generally called wage labor (or wage labour, if you’re across the pond). Basically, it just means you’re selling your time and skills – your labor power, as some fancy folks might put it – to some company or person (your employer) in return for good ol’ cash – wages! There’s usually some kind of agreement involved, whether it’s a super formal contract or just a handshake deal. My first job, scooping ice cream, was definitely more of a handshake kind of situation! Anyway, you could also call it “paid work,” or simply “paid labour”. Makes sense, right? I mean, what else would you call it? It’s work…and you’re getting paid. Simple as that, really.