Photo by Anna Shvets
I Quit! The Future of Happiness at Work
Toronto, Ontario
Presented by
Harbourfront Centre
This edition of Nordic Talks looks into the current turbulent climate of work culture and if workin’ 9-5 is really the way to make a livin’.
Two years of COVID-induced job insecurity and shifting workplace models combined with a global surge in demands for diversity, equity and inclusivity that naturally extend to the workplace have contributed to what many are referring to as ‘The Great Resignation’. Is there any truth to the adage ‘Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’? What role does happiness at work play in job satisfaction, performance and ultimately retention? How can employees find happiness at work? How can employers foster happiness in the workplace?
See full list of event participants below.
Event Supporters
Linus is a veteran in the computer games industry in Sweden. Since his first game in 1994, he has designed and developed over 50 game titles. Founded the production company Filimundus in 2009 with a mission to create fun and developmental apps for children.
Filimundus has been at the forefront of the Swedish game industry concerning gender equality and forward-thinking organizational development, such as implementing the six-hour workday and a values-driven approach. Putting social sustainability first has resulted in highly appreciated and successful products and a healthy working environment.
Linus is also an advisor and co-founder of Transition Group, a startup where an immersive computer game will help employees in large organizations to take a developmental step, going from a traditional company to a team based structure and lay the foundation for a genuinely creative and regenerative business, all the time while being happy!
Sarah Vermunt is the Founder of Careergasm and the author of Careergasm and Career Rookie. She helps people figure out what the heck they want so they can quit jobs they hate and do work that feels good. Her work has been featured at Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and lots of other cool places. She lives in Toronto.
Maayan Ziv is an activist, photographer and entrepreneur. In 2015, she launched AccessNow, a mobile app and website that collects and shares information about the accessibility status of places worldwide. What began as a response to her frustration when trying to navigate inaccessible places, AccessNow soon grew to become a mission-oriented social start-up. Within just a couple years AccessNow has vocalized a movement for inclusion, inviting people of all abilities to contribute to the platform. As CEO of AccessNow, Maayan has created a powerful shift in thinking about the importance of accessibility in our world, from accessible technologies to infrastructure, public policy, media and communications. To date AccessNow has shared accessibility information in over 35 countries.
An influential public speaker who is often in the media, Maayan collaborates with private sector companies as well as government and not-for-profit organizations. She is leading a movement, challenging norms and empowering others to make the future accessible and inclusive for all. Maayan and her work with AccessNow have received numerous awards including: Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 (2021), the Governor General’s Innovation Award (2020), WXN Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women (2018), City of Toronto Access Award (2016), David C. Onley Leadership in Accessibility Award (2016).
Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist and the author of The Finnish Way, which has been translated into 22 languages. Raised in Canada with stints in New Zealand and the UK, she has written for a range of media from The Globe and Mail to Elle and Monocle. Her work has been widely covered around the world, including in Le Figaro, Le Monde, El País, Vogue, Real Simple, and more. Her newest book Everyday Sisu: Tapping Into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (2022/Penguin Random House) explores how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Katja is a mother, an avid winter swimmer, and year-round cyclist.
