Generation Z Is Presenting a Challenge for Companies: 95% of Young People Find Ways to Leave the Workplace Early

  • Gen Z is entering the workforce on their own terms, with their own rules and values.

  • Many young workers view adherence to schedules as optional rather than a responsibility.

Generation Z
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ruben-andres

Rubén Andrés

Writer
ruben-andres

Rubén Andrés

Writer

Writer at Xataka. More than a decade of telecommuting and a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee. LinkedIn

137 publications by Rubén Andrés

Generation Z is entering the labor market. Projections indicate that Baby Boomers and Gen Z members will have an equal presence in the workplace this year. However, these two generations differ significantly, which could affect the relationships between younger employees and their companies.

Notably, a recent survey revealed that nine out of 10 young people are hesitant to use company resources for personal purposes and tend to minimize the importance of adhering to their working hours.

Breaking the rules. Gen Z members have clearly demonstrated that traditional workplace etiquette doesn’t resonate with them. Academic writing platform PapersOwl recently surveyed 2,000 individuals ages 18 to 34. 95% of Gen Z respondents indicated that they believe leaving work early (or arriving late), using company resources for personal reasons, and even taking naps at work are acceptable practices.

Additionally, a concerning statistic shows that 29% of millennials and Gen Z have engaged in catfishing techniques during the recruitment process. This means they posed as someone else and then disappeared without a trace, leaving hiring companies in a difficult position.

Schedules are optional. Generation Z frequently leaves work early, with 34% of respondents admitting to doing so. Similarly, 18% of respondents regularly arrive late without notice.

Moreover, 27% of respondents admitted to having called in sick just to take a day off. Meanwhile, 11% of participants reported logging more hours than they actually worked in the company’s timesheet.

Going to work doesn’t mean working. Even among those who attend work according to their assigned schedule, “cheating” is still common. 11% of respondents confessed to nodding off during work hours. Moreover, 40% of young people practice what’s referred to as “coffee badging.” This involves clocking in at the workplace just long enough to get a coffee and “showing up” before going to work from another location to avoid the return-to-office mandate.

When asked why they engage in these behaviors, 66% cited a desire for more flexibility in their working hours. Meanwhile, 44% preferred to work from a more comfortable location, and 32% preferred an environment with fewer interruptions.

Silent vacations. According to the Out of Office Culture Report by The Harris Poll consulting firm, around 40% of millennials and Gen Z have taken a “silent vacation.” This term refers to the practice of pretending to be at work while actually taking a day (or several) off without the company’s permission.

Data from PapersOwl reveals that 51% of Gen Z individuals have taken a silent vacation between one and three times in the past year, while 4% reported doing it more than five times in the last 12 months. Additionally, 52% said they did this to recover from stress or avoid burnout.

Image | Brooke Cagle

Related | Boreout, Explained: Why Being Bored at Work Is Just as Concerning as Being Burned Out

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