The year of the pushback

Across Europe, researchers are in revolt over workplace unhappiness

For every action, there is a reaction. In physics, this is immediate—walking forwards is only possible because the ground ‘pushes back’ against your feet, allowing progress.

When rules and reforms are imposed, their impact is often described in physical terms. People feel “pushed around” or “pushed over the edge”. They report being “under pressure” and, at some point, they start to “push back”.