> People didn't work so hard before because they felt like they earned a fair share - has this ever been the case before? It's always been the case and researc

> People didn't work so hard before because they felt like they earned a fair share - has this ever been the case before? It's always been the case and research shows that when employees feel that they are valued, trusted, and fairly compensated their performance improves (for examples see https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/03/well-being https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/03/well-being or https://www.hindawi.com/journals/edri/2021/1751495/ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/edri/2021/1751495/ or https://www.ijlass.org/data/frontImages/gallery/Vol._3_No._1/10._92-104.pdf https://www.ijlass.org/data/frontImages/gallery/Vol._3_No._1...) > They did it out of necessity, cultural expectations and personal fulfillment. Necessity and cultural expectations might make someone seek and maintain employment, but being treated fairly makes them work harder, makes them more loyal, and leads to better outcomes. Demoralizing employees is always going to result in reduced productivity. It may be true that the work you do is is fulfilling enough to prevent you from being demoralized even if your employer treats you like shit, but I doubt most people feel that strongly about their work. If they aren't earning enough to take care of themselves, let alone their families, morale isn't going to be very high. Hard work can lead to financial security, fair compensation, and professional fulfillment, but there is no guarantee that it will. It's an employers job to convince their employees that their hard work is worthwhile and will pay off for them in the end.