Blame it largely on the pandemic, which weakened the hold the workplace held on people’s psyches
By outward appearances, the labor market today looks much as it did before the pandemic. The unemployment rate is just as low, the share of adults in the labor force is just as high, and wages are growing at roughly the same pace after inflation.
But beneath the surface, the nature of labor has changed profoundly. Career and work aren’t nearly as central to the lives of Americans. They want more time for their families and themselves, and more flexibility about when, where and how they work.
The impact of this change can already be seen in both individual companies and the broader economy. It has led to a persistent shortage of workers, especially in jobs that seem less desirable because, for example, they require in-person work or fixed hours. That, in turn, has altered the bargaining position of employers and employees—forcing employers to adapt, not just by paying more but giving priority to quality of life in job offers.
To be sure, some of these changes arise from an exceptionally tight labor market. If unemployment rises, some of employees’ newfound leverage may evaporate.
It’s really hard to give a shit about working when doing so only barely keeps you from being homeless, meanwhile the CEO drives to work every day in his Ferrari.
EDIT: That is to say, we want to give a shit and be really passionate about what we do, but it’s tough when the time and effort to do so isn’t properly recognized or compensated. My wife loves taking calls and helping people however she can, but the company she works for prioritizes number of people helped as opposed to the quality of that help. As such, she’s looking to leave her job and the medical field entirely. Her experience is that every single company that writes any sort of prescription is only in it to sell as much product as possible, not actually using that product to help people.
There’s nothing at all wrong with loving what you do, or wanting to love what you do. There’s also nothing wrong with wanting to be able to pay your bills while doing so.