Workers: The New Activists

I have been questioning the workplace rules and norms since the day I started working in the corporate.

If you have been following me, you probably heard and read these at least a few times:

Hating every Monday and constantly waiting for Fridays
Working just to get paid while you suffer every day
Seen as a number, not a person
Easier to get rid of people than an office desk
Work being prioritized over family
“Looking busy” at work can be more valuable then producing results
Unnecessary bureaucracy to the level you need 3 signatures for simple stationery
Being told to be grateful because you have a job
No space for “caring”

These all surprised me. You know the list can still be longer.

This started with Factory Age, continued in the Industrial Age and came to its limits in the last few decades.

Things are shifting pretty rapidly especially after the pandemic. These 2 years gave people the chance to weave their work into their own rhythm. Until the Factory age everyone had their own work in their own rhythm. There was no separation between work and life. We invented 9 to 5 and “going to the office” around 150+ years ago.

Since I was one of the weirdest one to question the things I observed (the list above), I felt something was wrong with me. I am very excited to see the shift now.

This shift happened as a result of many factors; what matters now is millions of people are questioning these work norms and demanding better conditions.

That is why they are the new activists.

It is definitely not the first time people demanded more. Yet the two new generations grew up in a world that made it obvious that many of our systems are broken. They were able to see very clearly companies are damaging people’s lives and the planet. They witnessed first hand when their parents got laid off even if they worked very hard and did everything right. Some even lost their homes. So what was the satisfaction of working for these companies again?

In the first decades at least jobs provided safety; having a stable income in turn for a lot of sacrifice. When that is gone, what is left to do? Except there is the necessity to have a job to pay the bills.

I grew up hearing from my dad if you work very hard you will make enough money. There is no guarantee anymore.

Too many people live paycheck to paycheck not knowing how long they will keep their jobs. That is no way of living with dignity. Too much is at stake. They do not know if they can pay the bills, pay the next rent, provide a good education for their children even if they worked very hard.

I talk to many who leave their jobs. They make less money, downgrade their life style, earn nothing for months to come; to keep their dignity and humanity. Not everyone who leaves has the means, yet they do not want to sell their soul. I get that.

All generations feel the pain.

That is why workers are the activists now and demand more. I am glad everyone is pushing the envelope. This may be the breaking point we needed to make the changes we needed for a long time.

We are in this together.

We have to make this world a better place. Western world is always so proud to lead. How about leading with the most human workplaces and salaries?

It is definitely not the first time people demanded more. Yet the two new generations grew up in a world that made it obvious that many of our systems are broken. They were able to see very clearly companies are damaging people’s lives and the planet. They witnessed first hand their parents being laid off even if they worked very hard and did everything right. Some even lost their homes. So what was the reward of working for these companies? Only make money and suffer?