This blog was written by Faith Starchia, intern at Pion. Faith is a second year student at American University, studying journalism with a minor in literature. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Faith enjoys reading, writing and going to movies.
Other generations are calling them Gen lay-Z, and they are silently quitting their jobs to avoid insanity...
What is it about the workplace that does not seem to stick properly with Gen Z? Or possibly, what needs to change at work for them to clock back in (literally).
As a generation that entered the workforce during a global pandemic and watched previous generations work tirelessly throughout a recession, is there any more motivation behind working?
Gen Z, to avoid burn out, has taken the live to work mindset more critically than any generation thus far. A generation that has slowly come to terms with the effects of mental health on everyday life, discussing it without shame and more openly than what was considered to be normal a couple of years ago. This work-life balance plays a huge role in how they prioritize their personal well-being – and however unfortunate it is for the employer, Gen Z’s mental health comes first.
Although Gen Z works and thinks differently than past generations, this shouldn't be perceived negatively
Imagine how much more productive that coworker who hates small talk in the morning would be if they had the ability to come in at 11.
The benefits companies may be reluctant to allow their employees could be deciding factors for Gen Z on whether the job works for them. Paid time off, mental-health days, and community based activities have become essential for Gen Zers that are in and entering the current workforce. Having the flexibility to prioritize life over work, prevents burnout and allows Gen Z to continue to be motivated within their professional lives.
Gen Z is quietly quitting to protect their peace and ultimately putting an end to "hustle culture" as we know it
‘Quiet quitting’ refers to a new method adopted through the prioritization of life over work by Gen Z. Employees are slowly disengaging from their work by completing the bare minimum required, without putting in any extra effort in order to avoid eventually burning out. Although this is a negative aspect observed in Gen Z’s newly created working habits, this is typically in a situation of working tirelessly without reward.
For their hard work, employees of all generations, not just Gen Z, would like to see the pay off and some benefit for this. However, if they were to continue the extra effort without a goal or end in sight, it’s not hard to imagine that faith in their work could dwindle and they’d surrender to quietly quitting. Part of ‘extra effort’ includes staying late or showing up early to finish projects or attending non-mandatory meetings.
Following the mandatory remote work that occurred in the pandemic, there were immediate rises in how many employees were choosing to quietly quit. The ability to end work with the close of a laptop screen became deeply appealing to those who felt they were not doing rewarding work, or anything they felt passionate about.
In spite of the disadvantages that quiet quitting serves to the workforce as a whole, there are clear positive benefits in leaving work at the office or on the computer.
Hustle culture has shaped work into a source of stress and usually involves prioritizing intense productivity over self care
Gen Z has had the unique experience of witnessing how detrimental this has been to past generations, their parents especially. Why repeat the cycle when the solution is as simple as prioritizing your own self-care over an email that can wait another day? Breaking away from this negative cycle is something Gen Z has been able to do almost collectively, as they hold the knowledge that over working does not equal success.
Creating a healthier work environment that’s beneficial for Gen Z and those to come after
Expecting employees to mold themselves or their schedule around their career is an unrealistic expectation that many companies project. However, those who do not agree to this lifestyle can be expected to rebel significantly, even if they do not physically quit. Gen Z is a generation that will not support something that is not of genuine interest or benefit to them.
They care more about work-life balance and their well-being above anything else. If anything, income has fallen to the back burner in terms of what Gen Z feels to be valuable in terms of employment.
To optimize the potential of Gen Z workers, companies don't need to uproot the entirety of their workforce
Rather, it involves creating a comfortable and safe environment in which employees feel motivated to do their best work everyday. The traditional eight-hour work day does not fit the mold of everyone’s life, even for those in the same profession.
There are career paths that cater to the skills Gen Z is especially capable of harnessing: social media
Gen Z values authenticity and inclusivity in the workplace, which are key factors for companies that want to introduce a strong social media presence. Not only does Gen Z’s natural efficiency with technology and media make them ideal in helping companies do this, but it also introduces a new sector of job opportunities as well.
The role of social media managers and marketers within companies have become highly sought after jobs, by Gen Z especially.
The ability to use an everyday tool like social media in improving a company, while receiving a stable job and income is desirable for this generation. Since Gen Z has grown up alongside technology and social media as a whole, they have a unique understanding of how to create connections and form a brand personality all through a few clicks of a keyboard.
Rather than brands or companies having an unknowable, cold exterior to their clients, social media managers and marketers have the job of creating a personality that their customers can get to know. Even if this is through a screen, brands that have an online presence tend to have a significantly easier time marketing their products to younger audiences.
Harness the abilities of Gen Z in the workplace, instead of focusing on how they are not fitting the mold!
Although they as a generation may not be adhering to the old ways of working, there is a positive outlook to have on how they are changing things for the better. Gen Z has decided it’s time to stop burning out at work and stay healthy for the long run.
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