Labor Day Musings…What if they DO want to work?

‘No one wants to work.’  We have heard this phrase repeatedly since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.  As the labor market tightened, employers continued to make excuses for why they were not able to hire.  The reality was fairly straightforward: employees wanted more.  Those who were laid off, furloughed, or otherwise relieved from their work duties gained new perspective, personally and professionally.  Many did not want to keep doing what they had always been doing.  Others saw an opportunity to consider if they were fulfilled in their current careers.  Overwhelmingly, employees decided they were no longer going to settle.  The pandemic afforded them the opportunity to engage in this soul search and to demand change.  To take control of their lives and careers. 

Remember what happened with flight attendants???  To paraphrase many articles and news stories from that time…’we’re done putting up with this crap.’  The pandemic showed those working in their airline industry that change was possible and they were in a great position to demand it.  They also had the option to leave, aided by funds designated to assist with any transition. 

I have recently encountered two different situations involving employees who appear to not want to work.  One was overheard multiple times telling co-workers as much in plain language; claimed they would prefer to collect unemployment that continue in their full-time management role (with salary and benefits).  Another is doing everything possible to avoid returning to work following a medical health situation, including dodging calls from the employer and refusing to participate in any leave of absence processes.  On the surface, these employees ‘just don’t want to work’. 

Or do they?

Unfortunately, finding and maintaining a fulfilling career is extremely difficult.  Why is that?  I see a number of different reasons. 

First, we live in a society that is obsessed with money.  Building wealth has been the sole purpose of many peoples’ lives.  Have you ever heard someone ask a young kid what they want to be when they grow up?  If they reply with ‘doctor’ or ‘lawyer’ the response is always something to the effect of, oh that’s good you’ll make a lot of money.’  I never hear anyone comment on the nobility of the work or the importance of being happy.  Sadly, I fell into this trap for most of my childhood and youth.  I was hyper focused on entering a career with vast financial rewards.  I was blessed that the Lord showed me my purpose and passion while I was in college; I have never looked back.  But I know many others who are not so fortunate.  Every day around the world, people wake up and go to a job they hate.  Day after day after day.  It’s called ‘the grind’ for a reason.  Most of us know that being miserable at work is the absolute worst.  It affects every aspect of your life.  I don’t believe most people want to be miserable at work – they’re stuck.  Or trapped.  They have to earn a living to support themselves and their families.  But not everyone has the know how, ambition, or courage to break away from what they’ve always done and instead pursue what they really want to do. 

Second, we do not do a good job of encouraging people to find their purpose and passion.  Again, even career-oriented discussions with our children are focused on the compensation aspect.  We have an education system that aims to prepare young people for college and little else.  The truth is that college is not for everyone.  Many people are blessed with gifts that suit them to different types of career paths.  But these situations are not currently celebrated, not to mention encouraged.  We need to think about how we can educate our children differently, and in a way that identifies and celebrates their individual abilities.  Let’s do away with the ‘one size fits all’ approach.  But in order for that change to be effective, we have to embrace the importance of individual purpose and passion.  And we have to do it early and often.  Waiting to expose teenagers to career paths at 16 or 17 years of age is way too late.  Most kids display preferences and aptitudes years earlier. 

Finally, too many of our workplaces are atrocious.  Just terrible.  Bad managers, poor culture, lack of communication and transparency, below-market compensation…need I go on?  We hear about the squabbles at the big companies, but what about all the others?  The reality is that most businesses are horrible places to work.  Why?  Owners and leaders put very little focus on creating environments where employees can flourish.  People, the greatest asset of any company, are merely tolerated.  So why in the world would anyone want to devote their time and energy to a mediocre employer?  Unfortunately, too many people simply do not have a better option. 

As I started back to teaching at OSU last week, this topic weighed heavily on my mind.  I purposely bring speakers into my classroom for the purpose of preparing my students for the world of work.  I try to bring a ‘real world’ perspective to the content.  And I tell them many times throughout the term to chase their purpose and passion, not money. 

Regarding the recent employee issues I have encountered, I can’t help but wonder…maybe these employees do want to work.  Perhaps they want more.  But they may not know how to go about it.  They more than likely don’t know what their passion and purpose is, let alone how to find it.  With a little encouragement and support, could they be outstanding employees?  I believe it is possible. 

To my friends and peers in HR – how can we help?  What can we do to encourage and support the struggling members of the workforce?  How can we influence leaders to build better workplaces? 

The 2025 conference season has been fantastic so far!  Here is a list of my upcoming speaking engagements.  I hope to see you at an event soon!

9/5/25 – Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Payroll Org – Annual National Payroll Week Dinner Greater Cincinnati Northern KY Payroll Chapter – Meeting/Event Information

9/18/25 – SHRM New Orleans Annual Conference & Legal Summit NOLA SHRM – 2025 SHRM New Orleans Annual Conference & Legal Summit

9/28/25 – Garden State Council SHRM Annual Conference & Expo Home – 2025 GSC-SHRM Annual Conference and Expo

10/16/25 – Xichigan SHRM (MISHRM) Conference 2025 MISHRM Conference & Exhibition