Reimagining Work: Chantaie Allick and the Re-Work Movement

February 5, 2025

New on the blog - Reimagining work: Chantaie Allick and the Re-Work Movement

Written by Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi, Founder and President of Accelerate Her Future

In a world increasingly defined by hustle culture, burnout, and the growing disconnect between work and wellbeing, voices like Chantaie Allick’s are reshaping the conversation.

As a co-founder of the Re-Work Movement, Chantaie, along with her co-founder Natasha Singh, are at the forefront of reimagining how we relate to work, shifting the narrative from endless grind to intentional, meaningful engagement.

“Chantaie reflects on her experiences with wellness initiatives when she worked at a large tech company, “As a Black woman I never felt these programs were designed for me. I also hesitated to take part in them, often feeling like I had to work twice as hard to succeed.”


In a
Globe and Mail article, Chantaie advocated how “Culturally, we normalize and valorize burnout and stress and overwork, and my experience of those corporate wellness initiatives and offerings [is that they are] there to make it easier for you to work harder.”

The Problem: Burnout as a Workplace Epidemic

Burnout isn’t just an individual problem; it’s a systemic issue that affects productivity, innovation, and mental health on a massive scale.

Chantaie moderated a panel titled New Ways of Being: Cultivating Joy, Creativity, and Flourishing at Work at the Accelerate Her Future 2024 Virtual Summit, where she engaged in a rich discussion about workplace burnout with panelists, Janice Liu, Prasanna Ranganathan, and Ting Ting Liu.

During the discussion Chantaie noted that burnout is characterized by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, leading to emotional exhaustion, and reduced professional efficacy. 
 

“Research reveals that women—particularly Indigenous, Black, and racialized women—are disproportionately affected by burnout,” explains Chantaie. “As they often face compounded stressors including microaggressions, lack of representation, and inequitable workplace structures.”

Re-Work’s Approach

The evolving nature of workplace culture, especially in a post-pandemic world, has highlighted the importance of redefining how organizations approach community and engagement. Chantaie and Natasha’s vision for Re-Work centers on creating a sustainable and meaningful relationship with work—emphasizing that individual preferences and needs must guide the way. They advocate for moving beyond a one-size-fits-all mindset and encourage tailored, inclusive approaches to engagement and wellbeing.

This vision reflects a larger shift in workplace culture, where traditional office activities like annual holiday parties are giving way to more personalized, meaningful experiences designed to genuinely connect and engage employees. 

Re-Work builds on this idea by fostering authentic, values-driven initiatives that prioritize rest, creativity, and genuine connection over performative fun.

At the heart of the organization is the Re-Work Equation, a framework designed to help individuals and organizations transform their approach to work. This equation integrates values such as creativity, rest, and purpose to build a sustainable relationship with work life. By focusing on systemic and personal wellbeing, the Re-Work Equation emphasizes that flourishing—not exhaustion—should be the ultimate goal of work.

Their offerings include workshops, resources, and tools designed to:

  • Help individuals align their careers with their core values. For example, Re-Work Connect is a three-month program & coaching experience designed to help individuals overcome burnout, create new habits and craft a career with meaning.
  • Guide leaders in creating equitable and inclusive workplaces. Re-Work has several offerings for leaders and teams to arm them to do their best work using the Re-Work Equation.
  • Foster creativity and innovation in teams by prioritizing rest and renewal
 
A key aspect of Re-Work’s philosophy is challenging the myth that success must come at the cost of personal wellbeing. Instead, Chantaie and Natasha emphasize the importance of collective care, underscoring that workplaces thrive when employees feel valued, heard, and supported.

Why This Matters

The Re-Work Movement’s approach is more than a strategy—it’s a paradigm shift. It reminds us that flourishing in work isn’t just a personal goal but a collective necessity.

Chantaie Allick’s work challenges us to dream bigger and create systems where everyone can thrive. As we enter a new era of work, movements like Re-Work are vital, showing us how to rewrite the story of work with equity, intention, and joy.

Together, we can reimagine what work can be.

For more about the Re-Work Movement and its inspiring mission, explore their website.