Three Hard Truths About Work in 2022

Fixing Work is a Must as Life Won't be Better Without It

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The indicators are in and it doesn’t look good for employers as the tables are quickly turning. There is a growing gap between most organization’s idea of a good job and that of today’s workforce. In August, the U.S. Bureau of- Labor Statistics reported that 4.3 million workers quit their jobs. The September number rose to 4.4 million while officials reported there were more than 10 million job openings. We need to roll up our sleeves and fix the human condition at work in 2022. Society needs plenty of good work options, as work is essential to human growth, social connectivity, and for providing humans with platforms to accentuate their gifts on a larger stage.

Truth #1: Workers Are Dissatisfied with Employers, Work, and Its Impact on Their Well Being

Grassroots efforts such as the anti-work movement are not about workers not wanting to work. It’s about workers wanting better working conditions. Today’s workers want solutions that promote better well-being and overall life management. Unfortunately, employers are clearly falling flat in providing much hope. The top issue for workers today is one of being overworked and overwhelmed. Just watch for the results of year end employee surveys across organization and you’ll see employee satisfaction with workload plummet. It’s no surprise that mental health is an issue that for the majority of the global workforce now exceeds concerns for physical safety.

Truth # 2: Workers Find Hope Through Social Proofing

Positive stories abound providing social proof that employees are taking back their lives. People see friends and acquaintances leap to work options that align with their personal priorities yet still meet their economic needs. There is a growing desire across generational lines to break away from the controls, constraints, politics, and bureaucracy common in many organizations. Workers experienced the benefits of working remotely beyond staying at home and clearly want more. Once such benefit was higher levels of self-determination and control in their work. As contingent work opportunities grow, we will see exponential numbers seeking nontraditional ways to achieve economic goals in ways that support their well-being.

Truth #3: Organizations Must Redefine the Way They Think About Work

It’s still your great grandfather's organization. Modern day work scenarios are based on societal norms formed during the industrial revolution. The formation of concepts such as the workday, the factory setting, productivity, management, and working conditions were created at a time when society was very different. Organizations have failed to keep pace with evolving society norms, leaving workers stuck in a time warp from days long past. Today there are more women in the workforce and they are serving as the primary or only breadwinner. There are more single parent families, with 40 percent of households headed by women. Many kids are more active and scheduled, making them less available to help out with household chores. All of this means that today’s workers are trying to live modern day lives while working in organizations designed for early industrial age workers. Something’s got to give, and one thing is quickly proving true and that’s people are going to choose life over work.

Brent Kedzierski is a globally recognized and sought after Humans@Work strategist. His personal mission is to improve the human condition @ work… one experience at a time.

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