In my columns, I frequently examine Gen-Z in the workplace and the persistent issue of the 'that's the way it is' attitude among Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millennials. We must endure the setbacks, adapt to the challenges, and patiently await our turn to assume decision-making roles. This has led to a perception that Gen-Z lacks competence, is naive or indifferent, and seeks participation trophies. Indeed, much of our confidence stems from witnessing our successes and rewards. These, along with career advancements, are the few tangible measures of success. After 30 or more years of hard work, it's understandable that older generations are reluctant to explain why things operate as they do. They weren't explained to, so why should they explain it to us?
I argue, that's fair. But don't expect us to neglect our mental health in the workplace, just as you did. Why should I exhaust myself striving my hardest when there's no financial compensation for my best efforts? When my extra hours go unnoticed and unappreciated, or I'm not fairly compensated for my current wage? It's wiser to ease off and coast if I'm not being paid what I'm worth. This isn't about seeking recognition for merely showing up and not detracting value—every workplace now revolves around 'value,' whether it's added content or 'higher quality' customers and consumers—it's about safeguarding ourselves. In the past, overtime and hard work were rewarded, especially when such work involved filing briefs and arranging meetings.
Faster, quicker
But we live in an era where grunt work—scheduling meetings, sending emails, visiting clients or partners—is all conducted from a desk and webcam. Recently, I spoke with a tattoo artist in Jerusalem, an epidemiologist in eastern Africa, and a press officer in the US Army in the Texas desert. Each interaction took me about an hour to research and arrange via email and subsequent appointments. How long would this have taken without a computer, let alone the Internet? Thirty years ago, if I wanted to consult an epidemiologist, I'd have had to leave my sweatpants, visit the Toronto Reference Library downtown, call universities, find the right number in a phone book, or attempt an outdated .net address—assuming I even had a computer and dial-up connection.
Sidebar: Was dial-up even available in 1994? I wasn't born yet.
Given the accelerated pace of work, it's no surprise that Gen-Z might stop playing the game when bosses focus on productivity levels they never fully experienced as grunts in the system. We aren't naive; we're indifferent. Quiet quitting, slow quitting, and tang ping are merely protective measures for our mental health. That will always be more crucial to me than whatever value my boss seeks to add to keep their superior content.
Next week, as I delve into these phenomena, I'll also explore the broader consequences.
