Text reveals how much Gen Z have changed work culture: ‘They’ll collapse the economy’

A boss has revealed the cheeky text a Gen Z employee sent her one Thursday afternoon which proves just how much they’re changing the way businesses operate.

Jessy Marshall, a 35 year old from Sydney with her own PR firm, employs several people in their 20s who want a good work life balance.

The employer received the text message at 3.30pm on a Thursday from a 22-year-old worker that some Aussies would never even dream of sending to their boss. 

‘Hi Jessy, I am up to date with all my work… anyway, can I log off?’ the employee asked.

But the question didn’t phase the millennial employer who said it was fine to have the rest of the day off, in fact, she regularly lets her staff finish early on Fridays.

Craig Sneesby, a recruiter from u&u in Sydney, spoke to FEMAIL and explained that Gen Z take a completely different view about the importance of work in their lives.

‘Lifestyle is a massive focus for them and work is the necessary evil,’ he said. 

Craig doesn’t like to generalise, but he insists that when it comes to this generation, their work ethic just ‘doesn’t compare’ to that of millennials, Gen X or boomers.

Jessy Marshall (second from right) employs an office full of Gen Z workers in her thriving PR business and said she admires them for their openness and ability to speak up for their needs

‘If it’s too hard ”just leave’ seems to be a common response in interviews. Resilience seems lower…they need to learn there’s up and downs in all jobs, companies and industries,’ he said.

But Jessy told FEMAIL that her Gen Z workers aren’t lazy, it’s just that they have better boundaries than people who push themselves to the brink at work.

‘Gen Z gets a bad rap, but they work hard there is no question about that, however they recognise burn out. They have more self awareness, I think,’ the boss said. 

After a study by fitness brand Lulu Lemon placed Australians near the top of the world list when it came to ‘wellbeing burnout’, this might be a smart approach. 

But that doesn’t mean that the public relations millennial, who has worked several jobs simultaneously for as long as she can remember, is cutting herself any slack. 

Ex-recruiter Marina Karp, from Sydney, said that Gen Z will ‘change the world for the better’ by setting boundaries and making sure that burnout doesn’t have to be part of a successful career

Craig Sneesby said that Gen Z values lifestyle more than other generations and that work for them is a ‘necessary evil’

Jessy, whose previous roles have included professional cheerleader, dancer, beauty therapist and spray tanner, ‘admires’ Gen Z and said there is a lot to learn from them. 

And ex-recruiter from Sydney, Marina Karp, couldn’t agree more, she told FEMAIL they are forging the way for a better work future for all with ‘discerning’ boundaries. 

‘Gen-Z is going to change the world for the better,’ Marina said.

‘As a millennial who grew up drinking the kool-aid of hustle culture and girl bossing and working overtime only to realise that even the best job won’t ever love you back, I can only admire Gen Z as they unashamedly assert healthy boundaries.’

But not everyone agrees with the new work culture with many taking to Reddit to argue that Gen Z workers aren’t setting boundaries but are just ‘plain lazy’.

‘I won’t lie, I’m in construction and Gen Z workers are pretty f****** lazy. They are rough to deal with,’ one said.  

‘In my experience as a 34 year old, Gen Z definitely is less motivated and more lazy then younger millennials I worked with just a few years ago,’ another added. 

‘I work in a hospital and my Gen Z coworker and supervisor is the laziest girl I’ve ever met. She wastes time wasting time and does not care one bit,’ a third chimed in. 

Another added that the generation’s ‘slack’ work ethic was going to ‘collapse the economy’, but Gen Z workers hit back and said they are ‘tired of being scammed’.

‘Why have ambition when it gets you in debt, in trouble or moving nowhere in life?’ one said. 

One man fumed the youngest working generation would soon ruin the economy. 

Craig admitted their interest in a healthy work life balance might not be such a bad thing. 

‘I think all work and no play isn’t the winning way. I think Gen Z have a better balance than generations before,’ the recruiter said.  

The employment expert believes that Workaholic culture has seen its day and said that it’s becoming harder for employers to get white collar workers to the office. 

Craig said that bosses in a modern work culture need to add more flexibility for employees, as the absence of it is a major ‘ick’ among younger workers. 

‘Flexibility and trust are key to keeping staff happy,’ Craig said.

Employees need the freedom to manage their own time, it’s what he calls the ‘secret sauce’ for happy workplace.