Reddit's subreddit r/antiwork is a forum for people to discuss their grievances with modern day working conditions. The subreddit exploded as workers stayed home during the pandemic and contemplated their place in the world and the way labor was being mistreated for years.
The subreddit has alot of karma farming and stories of employees overcoming their issues and getting even with abusive workplace relationships. Strikes and efforts to gain back some of what labor has lost over the decades are discussed, but concrete actions are rare.
During the pandemic worker shortage and controversy with "essential workers", the subreddit exploded above one million members. Currently, the subreddit has over two million members and is very active. Screenshots and stories predominate the subreddit describing negative workplace experiences.
My opinion on the antiwork movement is that workplaces have long abused their worker's needs by providing low wages and hard working conditions. Wages have not kept up with inflationary demands and this has caused w resentment for years. The pandemic assistance programs allowed workers to take a step back and assess their positions. Changes were needed. To meet the need, employees need to unionize and upskill and employers need to respect worker's rights.
Automation, robotics and AI have increased worker productivity and the increases in profits have not gone to workers. This disconnect has been happening for decades, and a big part of this is a loss of labor union participation. Labor unions gave us a 40-hour workweek, safety protections and weekends. Without a union, workers are exposed to corporate whims. Unions also ensure their workplace employees are educated, skilled and meet requirements for fitness of duty. This allows employers to benefit as well. When an employee is singled out, the full union will get involved to make sure discipline is fair and balanced.
Labor unions, upskilling education and legislation are key to improving the workplace and large unorganized movements like antiwork can work against these aims. As workplaces have increased their salaries, it has become evident that the pendulum will turn back towards employer power sooner than later. Unionization allowed my grandfather to support his family as a janitor. Today, two working professionals will meet the same lifestyle. Labor unions help protect worker safety and ensure that wages keep pace with costs. Globalization has harmed worker positions as well. We need to bring back factories instead of just venting into the void. The toxic aspect of antiwork is karma farming on the sub and general venting/made up stories.
We need to change the way we frame labor and the way we make a change from venting to action. We need to work within the system and be peaceful. Change needs to come from both employer and employee.
Tell me your thoughts on this subject.
Screenshot from Reddit
