Between a tightening labour market, return-to-office mandates and bosses calling for more “masculine” leadership, the balance of power seems to be shifting against workers.

Some are turning to collective action as a visible way to clap back. Recent examples include public petitions started by staff at WPP and JPMorgan to protest against tighter rules on office attendance. Group action has also been used to expose poor treatment of women — such as at beer brand BrewDog — and decry employers’ stance on political issues such as Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Research shows a trend of increased willingness from staff to call out what they regard as unfair treatment. Polling by the Institute of Business Ethics last year found 64 per cent of employees were willing to speak up at work — up from 57 per cent in 2021.