The COVID-19 pandemic was an upheaval in many aspects of life, not least employment. Many workers who struggled through the uncertainty of those years felt unappreciated or mistreated by their employers, contributing to a growing anti-work movement and workers quitting their jobs in record numbers.

Employers who fail to meet the expectations of today's workers will increasingly struggle to attract and retain the talent they need. This requires understanding what specific anti-work sentiments are so you can address or prevent them in your workplace.

Growth of the anti-work movement

The anti-work movement is rooted in anarchist criticisms of modern labour practices and the broader economic system that supports them. However, its recent growth spurt – central discussion hub r/antiwork on Reddit grew by 900,000 members in 2021 alone – has seen its appeal widen considerably to encompass dissatisfied workers from many walks of life.

The growth of the subreddit and anti-work sentiment generally is mainly credited to employee experiences during the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted traditional working practices and left many employees feeling they were not adequately compensated or recognised for their efforts.

This culminated in the 'Great Resignation' that has seen workers in many countries leaving their employers in droves since 2021. While many sought greener pastures with other employers, others remained sceptical or hostile to returning to what they see as an unfair system that needs to change.

What do employees want?

Despite its inflammatory name, most anti-work supporters are not rejecting work itself, but what they see as an imbalance of expectations between employers and employees. Common points of discussion include:

• Disrespectful or unappreciative bosses
• Excessive hours, lack of flexibility or other demands leading to overwork and stress
• Toxic or unsupportive work environments
• Unfair wages and lack of benefits

How to keep your employees happy

Employees are driven to an anti-work mindset through negative experiences. When you provide a supportive work environment with fair compensation and without unreasonable pressure, you will improve your chances of acquiring and retaining valuable workers over your competitors.

There are many ways to create a more positive work environment, including:

• Listening to your employees and asking for their input on decisions that affect them
• Paying above-average wages and generous overtime (major anti-work gripes)
• Offering flexible work practices, such as flexible hours or remote working (if possible)
• Recognising and rewarding employees' efforts
• Offering flexible benefits and rewards that can be tailored to every individual's needs and interests

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