Hey listen, shop floor organizer here. The very REASON that bosses these days insist on teamwork is that they want to take socializing at work out of the Union’s hands. Humans crave social activities and bonding with the people around them. That’s how organizing starts. And some bosses try and separate the workers from each other sufficiently so they won’t come together at all.

Late capitalism is smarter about it.

Outside of work, those people could still meet. But if the company offers their own social events, their own team time, if they make the concept of teamwork and socializing part of the job then no one wants to do it twice. They control the narrative at social gatherings like that. You won’t get together at the bar and talk shop if your boss is there.

Reclaim your socializing time. That’s where the power is.