Every generation has their own set of work trends, and Gen Zs are no different. One of the reasons why new trends keep emerging, and older ones disappear, is because they often stem from societal and cultural norms of the time. This means that they shape the attitudes towards work for every new demographic that enters the workforce.
You’ve probably heard of them before; terms like quiet-quitting, polyworking, and flexi-work arrangements have gone viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, with many people now adopting such practices in their daily lives. But what is it about these trends that make them so popular among the working class, and in some cases not-so-beloved among employers?
What’s with the hype?
While there may be many factors to account for, one explanation for the overwhelmingly positive reception of such trends could simply be that a majority of Gen Zs identify as being chronically online, which makes them more likely to be influenced by what they see online.
Having grown up in a digital age, many Zoomers (another name for Gen Zs) have become so dependent on technology that any disconnect from it has them feeling left out. So in a bid to stay relevant, it’s common for many to hop on the latest bandwagon and fads being paraded online to keep their fear of missing out (FOMO) at bay.
Yes, some youths are just really that FOMO, and would jump headfirst into a new trend. However, on the flip side, there could certainly be a more significant reason as to why work trends have been embraced so widely, which is a direct result of the working conditions and economy that many Zoomers face today.
Surviving the grind
Despite the many claims that Gen Zs are lazy or just uninterested in work, it's no secret that the difficulty of adulthood has since been ramped up. Bleeding edge innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and other generative platforms have disrupted the job market. Additionally, uncertain economic headwinds and inflation have definitely not made things easier either.
In addition, there has been a rising trend of organisations undergoing right sizing, where they slash jobs and restructure their entire framework to make their operations more efficient and cost effective. This has led to many people from these companies experiencing pay cuts at best, or outright losing their jobs at worst.
Although job cuts aren’t new, the increasingly common waves of retrenchments that sometimes happen unexpectedly have led to grim working environments and a challenging job market overall, which has directly impacted the morale and outlook of many employees negatively.
Stay-sane strategies
Picture this, you’ve spent years studying hard to earn the right qualifications, only to get hired for a job where your responsibilities and given pay isn’t quite to your expectations, which can be a stressful situation to be in.
Worse, you’ve seen long-time staff be dropped from their jobs with little to no notice, worsening your insecurity and anxiety about your job’s stability. It's therefore not a stretch to imagine just how mentally taxing such a situation would be to anyone, let alone a fresh graduate.
This is where the current work trends come in. They serve as a “defence mechanism” of sorts, which help Zoomers and other worn out workers preserve their mental and emotional well-being during such a predicament.
Take quiet quitting for example. It's when employees are clearly frustrated with their jobs, and harbour feelings of being exploited by their organisations, but they still need their income to survive. So to balance this, they end up doing the bare minimum in order to retain their jobs, but never going above and beyond, or overstretching themselves for work.
The Growth of "Trendy" Unconventional Work Practices
It’s not common for them to endure past its popularity, which indicates two things: employees are, now more than ever, willing to fight for their rights in creative ways, and employers should pay more heed to them.
Despite the need to maintain profitable and adapt to new changes on an industrial level, companies shouldn’t forget that their employees matter. They must recognise that work trends don’t just pop out of thin air for no reason; on the contrary, they’re often the result of the circumstances that people undergo on a daily basis at work. By acknowledging them and working with employees to foster a more conducive workplace, organisations can not only improve staff satisfaction, productivity, but also attract and retain their top talents.
Employees, on the other hand, are becoming more assertive, and taking control of their lives by setting boundaries, being unapologetic when asking for things, and putting more priority on work-life balance. This might seem like a protest or rebellion against the big corporate machine, but if you look past that viewpoint, the simple truth is that these work trends are fostering a healthy relationship with work.
The shrinking workforce and poor job market conditions are not exactly things you can control, nor are the challenges you face at work. But by assessing your priorities, remaining flexible, and being transparent with employers, you can pursue a more fulfilling and balanced career that aligns with your values and aspirations.
