This behavior is not surprising when viewed through the lens of Austrian theory. The disutility of labor has been a known phenomena in Austrian economists for decades.

When individuals receive financial support without the need for work, they choose to minimize their labor participation. Recipients of UBI worked less and experienced longer unemployment durations. When basic needs are met through cash transfers, the disutility of labor outweighs its benefits. This is a key tenet of Austrian economics: if the costs of working—whether in time, effort, or stress—exceed the perceived rewards, individuals will opt for leisure.