February 5, 2025
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.
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.”
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.
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:
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.
Accelerate Her Future® was founded on land and waters of the traditional territory of many nations including the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabeg, the Attawandaron, and the Metis within the lands protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement. We respect Indigenous peoples’ deep connections to the land and waters, and affirm our commitment to continued learning while engaging our head, heart and hands to advance the TRC Calls to Action 92 and the MMIWG2S+ Calls to Justice 6.1, 11.1 and 15. We invite you to learn more about the history and presence of the Indigenous communities on the land and waters you gather on and work to build a better future for all. We encourage visitors to our website to learn about the land they are currently on.
