Millennials Have ‘Quiet Quitting,’ But Gen Z Has A Workplace Strategy Of Its Own

You’ve no doubt heard about the concept of “quiet quitting” in recent years. We’ve even brought you a story or two about the way many workers have reduced their output to the bare minimum in order to avoid burnout.

This has become a pretty common coping mechanism for millennial office employees (along with “quiet vacationing,” which involves remote workers enjoying a getaway without informing their bosses). But their younger counterparts have developed some different strategies.

Taking a break

As more workers feel overworked and underappreciated, they’re developing ways to treat themselves to the respite their bosses aren’t willing to provide.

A recent poll found that millennials are particularly drawn to “quiet” methods that still make it appear as if they’re doing their jobs even if they aren’t. Generation Z, on the other hand, is becoming far more outspoken in response to perceived mistreatment.

Before we get into the younger generation’s tactics, let’s take a look at the results of a recent poll. Nearly two-fifths of all millennials surveyed said they have:

• Taken time off work without telling their bosses
• Moved their computer mouse periodically to give the impression they’re busy
• Scheduled after-hours messages in order to look like they’re working off the clock

In each category, Gen Z workers were considerably less likely to have admitted such misleading behavior. But that doesn’t mean they’re not taking action on their own behalf.

Speaking up

Pollster Libby Rodney said the results of the survey confirm the existence of “a giant workaround culture at play” in the modern corporate world. But while millennials get their revenge “behind the scenes,” Gen Z is more confrontational.

The concept of a healthy work-life balance is important to young adults, and many are willing to call out bosses directly when it appears that balance isn’t being prioritized.

Chris Agee May 25th, 2024

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