anything
The main reason slaves worked hard were because they could be punished if they did not. Slaves could be punished is a number of ways, which ranged from being whipped to being killed.
trusted slaves or there owners
Typically, slaves were punished with whippings. Most commonly, fifty of them.
they punished themselves
Overseers punished slaves to maintain control and discipline on the plantation, to discourage rebellious behavior, and to set an example for other slaves to prevent insubordination.
Slaves were punished in various ways including physical abuse such as beatings, whippings, and lashings. They could also be subjected to solitary confinement, deprived of food, or forced to perform hard labor under harsh conditions. Additionally, slaves could be sold or rented out to other slave owners as a form of punishment.
They were beaten and whipped.
they would be beaten or hanged
whiped
Slaves were punished for a variety of reasons, including disobedience, attempting to escape, or simply to assert dominance and control over them. Punishments could range from physical beatings to chaining, imprisonment, or even death as a means of maintaining discipline and instilling fear among the enslaved population.
they know they might be caught and will be punished.
They supervised the work of slaves. If slaves did not follow orders, they also punished the slaves.