Money for Nothing? The Impact of Anti-Work Orientation on Work Motivation and Engagement

Anti-work orientation is a concept that critiques the value placed on paid employment. Despite its recent surge in popularity, which industry workforce analysts have predicted could lead to negative consequences for organizations and the global economy, research exploring its impact on work motivation and engagement is lacking. This study aimed to examine these issues with a stratified representative sample of the Swedish working population (N = 2595), using the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale based on Self-determination theory. The results revealed that anti-work orientation was most strongly correlated with amotivation and low levels of work engagement, suggesting that anti-work supporters may be experiencing low levels of energy, commitment, and enthusiasm for their job, and that they may even feel indifferent about their work. The connection to intrinsic motivation further suggests that they experience lower levels of enjoyment and personal value in the job. Interestingly, a positive association with external regulation suggests that anti-workers may still be motivated by external rewards, particularly material, even if they lack a genuine interest in their work. Finally, the association between anti-work orientation and introjected regulation was weak, indicating that individuals with strong anti-work sentiments are not primarily motivated by external pressures such as fear of failing in the eyes of others, or a sense of obligation. Implications for management are discussed.