Activism in the Workplace: Why the Netflix Walkout Is Just the Beginning
Netflix management may want to brace for greater-than-usual absenteeism Wednesday, according to a new survey of Netflix workers completed ahead of the planned employee walkout.
One in four Netflix professionals surveyed by the professional social network Blind said they had recently helped organize or previously participated in an employee walkout or “sickout” at their company.
Among those surveyed by Blind, Netflix had the most employees saying they had engaged in this type of activism in the last year and a half. Blind surveyed more than 4,800 verified professionals at Netflix and other employers in the U.S. from Oct. 14 to 19, 2021.
Workers at Wayfair, Coinbase, Google, Facebook and Apple, who have all dealt with recent well-publicized employee unrest in response to company policies or controversial clients, were also more likely than others to have agreed to the statement: “I have seen, helped organize or participated in an employee walkout or sickout at my company in the last year and a half.”
The walkout at Netflix, organized by the video-streaming giant’s trans and non-binary employee resource group, responds to Dave Chappelle’s controversial “The Closer” comedy special. In the program, the standup comedian makes jokes at the expense of trans people and other members of the LGBTQ community. Netflix employees disagreed with their management’s defense of the special and response to internal concerns in the two weeks leading to the planned Oct. 20 employee protest.
Research from Blind shows employers should expect more employee activism in the workplace in the future.
Activism made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic may be the most consequential event for the American workforce since the auto tycoon Henry Ford helped popularize the five-day workweek in 1926.
In addition to spurring the collective epiphany of millions of U.S. workers deciding to leave their job in “The Great Resignation” this year, it also made remote work the necessary norm.
In the last year and a half, millions of professionals have found themselves working at home for the first time. According to the Pew Research Center, the pandemic resulted in a more than three-times increase in the number of U.S. workers working from home.
The ubiquity of technology, including laptops, home internet access and workplace collaboration apps, made work away from employer-controlled physical spaces possible. Now, it may also be enabling activism, as workers can now organize amongst themselves with greater ease and without the risk of management walking by the water cooler, lunchroom or desk.
Two out of five professionals surveyed by Blind said they believe there is a place for activism in the workplace.
Recently, workers have used online word processors and spreadsheets as tools for employee activism.
More than one in six professionals (17%) said they have seen, shared or participated in an internal employee petition at their company in the last year and a half, according to Blind.
Blind also found nearly one in four workers (24%) said they have seen, shared or contributed to crowdsourced spreadsheets to combat suspected pay inequities by job level, gender or ethnic identity.
The bottom line
The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the wide availability of workplace collaboration software and other tools online, has made it easier for professionals to rally against perceived injustices by their employers. Employers can expect more employees to organize beyond the tactics of walkouts or coordinated use of paid time-off or sick leave if the last year and a half is any indication.
Methodology
Blind conducted an online survey of 4,870 verified professionals in the U.S. from Oct. 14 to 19, 2021, on its platform.
Survey respondents answered “agree” or “disagree” to the following statements:
- I believe there is a place for activism in the workplace.
- I have seen, shared or participated in an internal employee petition at my company in the last year and a half.
- I have seen, shared or contributed to crowdsourced spreadsheets listing pay by job level, gender or ethnic identity at my company in the last year and a half.
- I have seen, helped organize or participated in an employee walkout or sickout at my company in the last year and a half.