The corporate world is a strange place, and one woman is calling out its absurdities with a term that's gone viral: 'Corporate Math'. But what does it mean? It's a scathing critique of the illogical and often cruel practices that have become all too common in today's workplaces.
Robyn Garrett, a CEO, speaker, and author of 'Happy at Work', has taken to TikTok to expose the nonsensical side of corporate life. She's not just talking about the cringeworthy jargon like 'circle back' and 'blue sky thinking'. No, she's delving into the very real issues that make employees want to scream. And it's about time someone did!
You've probably heard of the 'girl math' and 'boy math' trends, which humorously highlight gender-based spending habits. But Garrett has taken a page from 'boy math' to expose the darker side of corporate leadership. She argues that many companies are run with a twisted logic that leads to poor employee retention and recruitment.
Garrett's 'Corporate Math' reveals some shocking truths:
- Expecting a small team to do the work of many, leading to burnout and frustration.
- Timing layoffs to boost financial reports, regardless of the human cost.
- Demanding more work from employees while refusing raises or fair salaries.
- Offering pizza parties instead of meaningful benefits and pay increases.
These practices are not only illogical but also downright exploitative. They contribute to trends like 'quiet quitting' and 'acting your wage', where employees disengage or only do the bare minimum. A FlexJobs study found that 62% of workers want to quit or already have, and a Pew Research study cited reasons like low pay, toxic culture, and feeling disrespected, all of which are part of Garrett's 'Corporate Math'.
Thankfully, there's some good news. Staffing shortages have led to wage increases, and real wages are starting to match inflation. But is it enough? The American work world still has a long way to go to become fair and sustainable.
So, what's the solution? It's time for leaders to re-evaluate their 'Corporate Math' and create a workplace that makes sense for everyone. Because, as Garrett's viral trend shows, employees are fed up and ready for change. Are you ready to join the conversation and share your thoughts on this controversial topic?
