When Jacinda Ardern announced (on 19 January 2023) that she did not feel like she had her ‘Tank Full’ for her job as the Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader, many knew the feeling well.
For several years now, we have had to work through a deadly pandemic, an uncertain economy, the decimation of civil liberties, acts of war in some parts of the World and ever-rising feelings of stress and burnout.
Workplace trends
First came the wave of ‘the great resignation,’ the massive migration from office to remote work during the pandemic, which had a profound impact on how people think about their jobs.
The result is a societal shift in what workers now consider the career status quo.
As per studies, 2022 saw 40% leave their jobs simply because of burnout and 28% of employees left companies without another job lined up.
Then came the next act of resistance in the so-called ‘Quite Quitting’: a new term for workers who do only the job for which they are paid, without taking on any extra duties or participating in extracurricular activities at work.
The tired, overworked, burnt-out, working-class people are taking back their agency and refusing jobs and working conditions that are unsuitable for us.
They aimed at a better work-life balance, more power and say in their work life and ‘better control of their sanity’ as some young professionals told Indian Newslink.
Gaining popularity in response to pandemic-induced burnout, quiet quitting had its moments, especially among young people who, in many ways, had suffered the worst of these surreal times.
Yessi Bello Perez, LinkedIn News Chief Executive said that ‘quiet quitting’ is about rejecting the notion that work has to take over one’s life and that employees should go above and beyond what their job descriptions entail.
“This can take many forms, including turning down projects based on interest, refusing to answer work messages outside of working hours or simply feeling less invested in the role,” she said.
Disproportionate tasks for women
Studies conducted in the US found that women are disproportionately asked and expected to take on work that no one else wants to do, like planning the office party, attending to that time-consuming client, keeping track of employee birthdays and so on,
Lise Vesterlund, Co-Author of the book, ‘The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work,’ said, “It is very easy for men to say no because there are no consequences.”
The changing dynamics
The workplace dynamics have changed drastically due to the predicted recession and global economies preparing for the toughest times in the last 40 years. It has become increasingly difficult for the youth to find steady jobs.
Low pay, higher inflation and higher interest rates in Western countries have pushed many young employees to seek new opportunities. The outlet states that a lack of growth, a lack of work-life balance or simply losing interest in the job can cause employees to get creative.
Add to that a shortage of workforce across all parts of the World, and the trend of rage applying seems to have found its fan base rather easily.
Rage applying is a new trend where people apply to multiple prospective employers to increase their chances of getting hired. This strategy has become even more popular with the rise of online job portals, making it easier for people to apply for multiple positions at once.
Rage-applying relates to people dissatisfied with their current employers applying for several jobs. The message has resonated with a group of workers who are exhausted and underappreciated.
The concept was popularised by a Canadian Tik Tok User Redweez and her video has garnered nearly two million views.
She said, “I got mad at work, and I rage-applied to 15 jobs. And then I got a job that gave me a $25,000 raise, and it is a great place to work. So keep rage-applying. It will happen.”
Many people said that they are claiming her energy in 2023.
Here are a few comments:
“My salary journey from $60,000 to $150,000 would have taken me several years if I had stayed in one place.”
“Rage-applied, then rage-negotiated, and doubled my salary with a new job.”
“I got the best job of my life. I applied to several jobs in 20 minutes while waiting at the dentist’s office. Rage on.”
Changing the employment scene
Rage applying is not only helping young people get employed but also changing the way employers are hiring candidates. With this new trend, employers can access a larger pool of potential employees and select the best candidate for their job opening.
With a global recession approaching, life recovering after a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and aspirations as well as opportunities at an all-time high, youth are facing a unique set of challenges that previous generations never had to face.
These changes have caused a shift in trends online and in the workplace. Young adults are trying to navigate their way through an increasingly uncertain job market and trying to make the most of their time.
The trend in New Zealand
We spoke to several young professionals and all of them seemed to have tried doing the same at least once when all seemed lost during their day at work.
Lauren, a young professional in the travel sector said, “All of us have days when we feel that we have had enough. I found my current job as a result of Rage applying and it has worked out for me.”
Anna, Williams a School Teacher said that after three years of studies, she felt overworked and disrespected.
“I looked in areas outside teaching and even considered a massive pay cut as I was upset with the system. I still look for other opportunities and rage-apply on some days,” she said.
Celia Lee, a banker changed her work profile when she for a business loan and took the brave step to become a successful entrepreneur in the retail business.
“I remember the day clearly. I was feeling stuck and in a moment, I applied for a loan at three banks. Within a week, I had my loan approved and I have never looked back since. I feel sometimes a person needs to follow the instincts that say- you can do better,” she said.
While several young professionals told Indian Newslink that they all had tried it at some point or knew of friends and co-workers who had tried to look for alternatives on a relatively frustrating day, they did not want to be named, as they were still working and did not want to bring the wrath of their employers upon themselves, which, in good humour, they thought would make a great continuation to our story.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
