Work Is Fundamentally Broken: Publishers Weekly Talks with Jennifer Moss

In her new book *Why Are We Here?* (Harvard Business Review, Dec. 2023), Jennifer Moss explores the deeper existential questions driving the modern workforce, building on the ideas from her 2022 book *The Burnout Epidemic*. Moss argues that the Great Resignation wasn’t primarily motivated by a desire for higher pay, but by a profound loss of connection to work’s purpose. She interviewed 128 Uber and Lyft drivers who left more prestigious, well-paying jobs to become drivers, seeking meaningful work that aligned with their values. According to Moss, we are collectively experiencing an "existential crisis," asking fundamental questions like "What is the point of going to work?" and "Why continue in toxic work environments?" This shift in mindset, driven by the realization of life’s finitude, has prompted workers to reassess their relationship with their jobs.

Moss also identifies the root causes of chronic workplace stress: lack of recognition, poor pay equity, and unsustainable work expectations. She highlights the inadequacy of corporate "resilience training" and argues that work culture has long been broken, especially for women who have faced systemic barriers like inadequate support policies. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this reckoning by giving workers a taste of more flexible, balanced work lives, and now many are unwilling to return to pre-pandemic conditions. While some companies, like Atlassian, are adapting by offering hybrid office setups that prioritize flexibility, engagement, and accessibility to leadership, the overall workplace paradigm is in need of lasting transformation. Moss calls for a permanent shift in how organizations engage and retain talent, focusing on purpose and well-being, rather than reverting to old, unsustainable practices.

Read the complete article at Publishers Weekly - Jennifer Moss.