Generation Z (Gen Z) has a different work ethic than older generations. A recent study showed that a large portion of respondents admitted to occasionally cheating during work hours, such as taking a nap or finishing work early.
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What is Gen Z?
- Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to the generation born approximately between 1995 and 2010. Members of this generation are now between 14 and 30 years old.
- The Gen Z has entered the job market in the last 10 years, bringing their own strengths and principles, notably being very health-conscious. For many, this means: “My health/my well-being is more important than my job.”
- Additionally, the generation is often said to be “always online” and very tech-savvy.
What do young people admit to? The website PapersOwl surveyed 2,000 Americans aged between 18 and 34 – roughly in the range of Generation Z. In this study, 95% of respondents said they found workplace cheating acceptable.
Among the “tricks” queried in the study were things like leaving work early, false crane reports, or napping during work hours. The top answers were:
- Leaving work early – 34%
- Calling in sick when not actually ill to take an unplanned day off – 27%
- Unannounced late arrivals – 18%
- “Quiet quitting,” by only putting forth minimal effort – 16%
- Using AI to complete tasks – 14%
- Napping during work hours while working remotely – 11%
- Logging more hours than actually worked – 11%
- Using company tools or software for personal hobbies or freelance work – 10%
Moreover, 51% of respondents stated that they had taken a so-called “quiet vacation” – a break without informing a supervisor while pretending to work. The most cited reason for a quiet vacation was “mental stress or burnout” at 46%, followed by the lack of opportunity to take time for family matters (36%).
When does Gen Z perform at their best? 50% of respondents said that a salary increase is their top motivation to give their best. Additionally, 31% stated that a positive and less toxic work environment motivates them.
The working style of many members of Generation Z often contradicts the views and ideals of older generations, as many young people place less importance on strict adherence to rules. Steve Jobs would be driven crazy by Generation Z with their definition of “punctuality.”
