Adapted by:
Rubén Andrés
WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Generation Z’s perspective on work and personal life differs sharply from that of previous generations. For those entering the job market, work-life balance includes not only time for personal well-being but also the normalization of sex in the workplace—something previously considered taboo in professional environments.
Remote work made this easier. EduBirdie conducted a survey of 2,000 Gen Z respondents about their sexual relationships in the context of shifting from remote to in-person work. Forty-seven percent said remote work improved their sex lives. Being at home allowed them to better coordinate sexual encounters with their workday.
Conversely, 36% said returning to the office would negatively impact their sex lives, since they’d lose the flexibility to coordinate with partners. Meanwhile, 14% said working from home reduced their sexual activity. Thirty-seven percent reported no change. Whether that’s good or bad remains unclear.
It’s a complicated return to the office. Commuting hasn’t been the biggest challenge. Thirty percent said office work affects their ability to schedule sex, forcing them to plan around it. Seventy percent, however, prefer spontaneity and aren’t concerned about planning.
Nearly 29% of Gen Z respondents said that running into colleagues at work increases their chances of having sex.
Greater social interaction. The survey also found that 42% feel more confident and attractive when flirting with coworkers. Another 18% said that social interaction at the office improves their mood.
But being away from home and their partners can dampen their sex drive. Regarding frequency, 40% of young employees don’t expect much change from returning to in-person work. Sixteen percent said they’re too tired after work for sex, while 20% said office work cuts into time spent with their partners, reducing opportunities for dates.
“Private” spaces at the office. The study’s most surprising finding: 38% of young people said they’d like a private space in the office for intimate encounters or “self-care.”
This suggests companies must offer more than coffee and free fruit to attract and retain younger workers.
The paradox: less sex overall. Despite the sexual aspirations revealed in this survey, other studies show Gen Z is less sexually active than previous generations. According to the National Survey of Family Growth, rates of asexuality rose sharply between 2017 and 2023.
Ten percent of men and 7% of women ages 22 to 34—within Gen Z—have never had sex. Meanwhile, 24% of men and 13% of women in that age group reported no sexual activity in the past year. A decade ago, those numbers were 8% and 9%, respectively. Among those who abstained in the past three months, 35% of men and 31% of women said they had no sexual encounters.
Sexuality without taboos. Data from both studies suggest that although Gen Z may be less sexually active than older generations, they seek to openly integrate sexuality into all areas of life—including the workplace. This reflects a deep cultural shift.
Still, normalizing sex at work could risk setbacks in the fight against sexual harassment, which remains a serious issue.
Image | Kaboompics.com
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