“I was stuck in a routine. “I quit,” admits Alexandre Nadeau, who gave up his job as a plumber to work for the Chillionnaires collective, moving away from the 9-to-5 job that runs like clockwork.
“We want to “work”. We work constantly, but in a “chilled” way. We have eight companies in real estate, events, etc.,” explains Alexandre Nadeau, who wouldn’t go back to his old life for the world.
“I gave up welding for forestry after 15 years because I more or less liked being locked in a factory,” says Nelson Grant of the Eaubois Forest Workers Cooperative in the MRC of Haute-Gaspésie.
Nelson Grant turned his back on his job as a welder. He now works outside and makes more money than before. Provided by Nelson Grant
These workers who quit their jobs are part of Isabelle Maréchal's powerful new documentary “The Great Resignation,” which traveled to every corner of Quebec to meet people who quit because they couldn't take it anymore.
As an education strike has just paralyzed Quebec, the documentary lifts the veil on the plight of a passionate teacher who left the world of education because she felt crushed by the weight of the system.
“Suffocated by her work”
During the pandemic, one in four Quebecers thought about changing jobs. To understand this silent desertion, Isabelle Maréchal held out the microphone and continued the reflections she began in her previous documentary, “The Means of the Middle Class.”
“I saw a lot of people around me who were suffocating in their work,” enthuses the intellectual in an interview with the Journal.
“To what extent should your job take priority over all aspects of your life?” asks the star presenter and businesswoman.
Isabelle Maréchal wanted to understand what had motivated Quebecers to turn their backs on their previous professional lives. MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Factory worker, teacher, nurse… Isabelle Maréchal took the time to listen to understand the reasons that moved her to action. She gave a voice to others who have chosen the cooperative model to breathe new life into a world of work corroded by the culture of speed.
“It's a lot to say: 'I'm resigning,' because work is the center of our lives,” summarizes Isabelle Maréchal, who has been in the business since she was 16.
Isabelle Maréchal with members of the Eaubois Forest Workers Cooperative Provided by Télé-Québec
Dull unease
In his documentary we sense the dull unease that wears down some people's health. The less importance they attach to their work, the more the rubber band stretches until it bursts.
Because while there are still many who are passionate about their work, others feel like slaves to their livelihood, which is slowly killing them.
Chillionaires who run multiple companies in their own way to manage their day-to-day work. Provided by Télé-Québec
The big resignation begins with a worker who says he was told to go to the bathroom less and drink water so as not to slow down the pace at the factory.
“There is hope if managers start to open up on their part. “Flexibility can’t just be one-sided,” states Maréchal.
“People have more power than they think,” she concludes.
The big resignation will be broadcast on Télé-Québec on January 24th at 8 p.m.