Work is what enables inclusion even more so for individuals with intellectual disabilities, since work plays an essential part in theirquality of life. The social representation approach illustrates the appropriation of an object by a social group according to their background, values and practice, but the term “work” has never been studied as an object of social representation among persons with intellectual disabilities. In this perspective, we met 30 young girls in a centre for children and young people with disabilities, and 29 women in a sheltered employment centre, so that they might express themselves spontaneously on their representation of work. The results of a free association test show two distinct “operational” representations of work. The item “earning money” is a central element of representation for both groups. The periphery of the representation brings out elements in relation to daily life, vocational and social skills, feelings of job satisfaction, and also differs according to the groups. The representation by women could be the result of a transformation of the object work with age and entry into active life.