As searches for burnout related terms rise to well over 200,000 in the UK, workers take to #WorkTok share their frustration with employers. Last year, research* revealed some unprecedented insights into the fears and frustrations of the workforce. As the popularity of TikTok continues to soar, flexible office space provider has taken another deep dive to understand how conversations on #worktok have evolved and temperature check whether today’s workforce is feeling the same sense of discontent and dissatisfaction in 2024 as they uncovered in 2023. Discontent is on the rise.
Rising Burnout and Employee Discontent
With searches for burnout-related terms exceeding 200,000 in the UK alone, #WorkTok has become an outlet for workers to express their frustrations. Videos tagged #corporatelife (504,000 hashtags), #officelife (,1300,000 hashtags) and even ironic #officehumour (252,500) hashtags reveal a growing sense of bitterness towards employers with employees openly sharing experiences with job-related stress, poor work-life balance, and dissatisfaction with management.
Uncovering the Harsh Reality of Employee Sentiment
#WorkTok is providing unprecedented insight into employee sentiments, often revealing a stark contrast between public corporate images and the realities of workplace culture. For example, employees recording and posting interactions with toxic colleagues, harsh performance reviews, layoffs and even firings from otherwise seemingly aspirational employers such as Google, X, Cloudflare and Discord. These viral videos are forcing companies to confront uncomfortable truths about their internal practices and employee satisfaction levels.
Threats to Business Confidentiality
Perhaps most alarmingly, #WorkTok is exposing the dark underbelly of customer interactions and office politics. Employees are sharing behind-the-scenes footage and stories that were previously kept within company walls, potentially compromising business confidentiality and damaging customer relationships.
“The rise of #WorkTok presents a complex challenge for employers,” says Emily Watkins, Chief Client Officer at Instant Offices “While it offers valuable insights into employee experiences, it also poses significant risks to company reputation and confidentiality. Employers must adapt their strategies to address these concerns while fostering a positive work environment.”
As #WorkTok continues to gain traction, employers need to reassess their internal communication strategies, enhance employee engagement initiatives, and implement clear social media policies to mitigate potential risks associated with #WorkTok.
*Research from Instant Offices
