It is more prevalent because there is a more complicated reason for escape: before the internet, people felt more lonely when they avoided work & others. Now, it seems to be the opposite. Working with others is seen as a form of punishment, and to some degree I agree and can see both sides. There is also a continued form of unreasonable expectations that we know of being expected to devote extra time, violating EU labor laws, etc.
My uncle & i recently talked about this pattern that exists in most if not all work environments. 90: 10 rule, where 10% of the people do 90% of the work, and the supposed benefits of working hard are not given. When people feel under-appreciated, they will 100% of the time slack off or quit. All of these standards are held by people who expect more than they are willing to give... and the vast majority of people (this is not an equal playing field, despite our greatest wishes), will do even less than what you would expect. They will continue to expect a handout despite knowing better regardless of how you treat them. Sad reality of humanity.
The 10% will burn themselves out 100% of the time.
Just saying what you already know, but these things are all across the board at every job, everywhere, and that hadsn't changed as long as ive been alive anyway. The idea is to maintain the same basic expectations for hiring & firing, but to always expect a let-down when it comes to the work ethic of others.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst: hope that God will have the most room to work... it really is an uphill battle
*drives down the street to the 3 other coffee shops on the same block.