A Gen Zer who said she quit her first corporate job after just a few months went viral online, adding to an ongoing conversation about this generation's view of work life.
31 augustusAndra Berghoff, a 25-year-old based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, postedon videoin response toanother TikTokerin which Generation Z followers were asked what they thought of the way this generation worked.
Berghoff's response began with an on-screen caption that read, "Generation Z is finally starting to push back against the corporate world," and she went on to explain that she had her first "9-to-5 job for adults in the corporate world." brought in. that year, and was initially excited about it, but after four months realized she didn't want to do this "corporate drone thing" for the rest of her life.
In the upload, she said she believed there were people at the same company in their 40s making the same amount of money as her and "struggling to make ends meet," and asked if this was all there was to life. She said she "continued to persevere with blind optimism," but ultimately decided she no longer wanted to continue in the role and left for "health reasons." Although she struggled to pay the bills, she said she was "happier doing odd jobs here and there."
“Say what you want about Generation Z, but we're finally putting our foot down in this corporate style where you waste most of your life sitting in an office doing little or nothing,” she said near the end of the video. that she would rather get the job done on her own time and then be able to live her life.
Berghoff told Insider in an email exchange that she stayed at her job for eight months before officially resigning.
Her upload received a huge response with 3.8 million views and more than 11,600 comments, ranging from self-identified Gen Z and millennial viewers who wrote that they felt trapped by the 40-hour work week that consumed their lives without sufficient financial to offer reward.
“I was recently asked what my dream job was and I said, 'I don't dream of working the rest of my life,'” one viewer wrote in a popular comment.
"Generation Z was raised to question things, and there are so many things about office work that we see as pointless or could do differently," Berghoff told Insider. “The corporate world is pathetic and unnecessary, with its long working hours, appalling dress codes, pressure on disabled facilities and higher-ups refusing to listen to their employees.”
Some leaders have said thatGeneration Z employees are especially difficult to deal with, maar de generatie heeft sociale media omarmd als reactie op deze kritiek en wijst op redenen waarom ze niet willen werken, waaronder een gebrek aan tevredenheid op de werkplek, stagnatie van de lonen en meer aandacht voor een gezonder evenwicht tussen werk en privéleven, meldde Insider eerder.
"Generation Z doesn't hate corporate work, we're pushing back on unfair labor standards that haven't reflected the changing times for decades," Berghoff told Insider. “If I went back to work in the corporate world, they would have to pay me a living wage and allow me to work remotely, and now maybe even independently.”
Rather than give up their role completely, some Gen Zers have taken this approachcalm stop, meaning they still show up to work to collect a paycheck, but they set firm boundaries between work and life by refusing to go beyond their job description, while others have embraced the trend of 'At least only on Mondays"As a way to make the work week easier.
For more stories like this, check out reporting from the Insider Digital Culture team here.
FAQs
In addition to feeling the least engaged in work, Gen Z also finds their responsibilities uninspiring. Gen Z workers report having the least meaningful work (14%) and least autonomy at work (21%) compared to other generations, who are more fulfilled and have more autonomy.
What is the work culture of Gen Z? ›
Environmental, Sustainable, and Social Responsibility Accountability Gen Z workers want to be people who make a difference in their communities and the world. Beyond monetary compensation, they want to associate with companies that influence better societal outcomes.
Why is Gen Z struggling in the workplace? ›
Despite being tech-savvy, Gen Z is claimed to often lack crucial soft skills required in the workplace. As employers increasingly prioritize interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, they could find themselves at a disadvantage in the competitive job market.
What is Gen Zs problem? ›
Mental health can be one of the most taboo problems with Gen Z in the workplace, as Gen Z struggles with mental health conditions at higher rates than other generations.
Why is Gen Z struggling financially? ›
Gen Zers face greater obstacles to financial success
Not only are their wages lower than their parents' earnings when they were in their 20s and 30s, but they are also carrying larger student loan balances.
What does Gen Z want out of work? ›
They want agency to create a future that they find meaningful. Enlist their energy and problem-solving skills. Build a culture of reverse-mentoring. Many organizations typically have older employees who mentor Gen Zers.
What is Gen Z's attitude towards work? ›
One of the unique factors of the Gen Z work ethic is their assertiveness. They are more likely to demand better salaries and career advancement while millennials advocate for them. Meanwhile, millennial workers prioritize job security with the lessons from the 2008 recession.
What is Gen Z culture like? ›
Gen Z is known for being resourceful, independent learners who value diversity and inclusive culture and place a priority on well-being and mental health in the workplace. They are fiscally conservative with a keen focus on investing and income.
Why is Gen Z the smartest generation? ›
Gen Z has honed the skill of sifting through vast amounts of data, fostering a culture of self-education and critical thinking. This ability to quickly access and evaluate information may contribute to the perception of increased intelligence.
What are Gen Z weaknesses? ›
However, Gen Z has certain weaknesses. They have a rather indifferent attitude towards security and prioritize convenience over security . They also experience a low perceived behavioral control and lack education on how to behave securely online .
From issues like discrimination and human rights to personal safety and violence, it's all stressful to younger Americans. But, like their older counterparts, health- and finance-related concerns topped the list of stressors.
Why does Gen Z lack resilience? ›
GenZ's upbringing in a world of instant information and social media has its drawbacks. The lack of tough love in schools and colleges might have left them less prepared for the harsh realities of the working world.
What mental disorders do Gen Z have? ›
Yet perhaps there is something different happening with gen Z. One in three 18- to 24-year-olds now report symptoms indicating they have experienced a common mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety disorder, compared with one in four in 2000.
Why does Gen Z have a bad reputation? ›
If you have not heard, Gen Z (also referred to as Zoomers), those people born between 1997 and 2013 have been using their “ghosting” powers to not show up for interviews with employers or even going through the interview process, getting the job, and then not showing up for their new job without the courtesy of even a ...
What is the biggest concern for Gen Z? ›
Environmental sustainability continues to be among Gen Zs' and millennials' top priorities. It is a personal concern that consistently weighs heavily on them, with roughly six in 10 Gen Zs and millennials saying they have felt worried or anxious about climate change in the last month.
Is Gen Z making conscious quitting the norm? ›
Gen Z is making 'conscious quitting' the norm–but employees of all generations are seeking jobs... Randstad's 2024 Workmonitor found that 21% of workers surveyed have quit a company that didn't take action on an issue that's important to them.
Why do so many Gen Z have side hustles? ›
The effort, the report notes, is because Gen Z came of age during the 2008 financial crisis, spent crucial years of school remotely during the pandemic, and observed recent waves of layoffs as entry-level workers. Now, they're trying to adjust to higher costs of living that appear to outpace wages.
Why will Gen Z not retire? ›
Retirement doesn't seem possible for a quarter of Gen Z
Roughly one quarter (23%) of Gen Z don't expect to ever be able to retire, according to a recent McKinsey & Company study. This belief stems from a variety of factors, but a major reason is the current job market.
Why is Gen Z stressed out? ›
From issues like discrimination and human rights to personal safety and violence, it's all stressful to younger Americans. But, like their older counterparts, health- and finance-related concerns topped the list of stressors.
