CURATED READS FOR GEN Z—AND THEIR Z-CURIOUS COLLEAGUES

first up

Welcome—Sarah is back this week, and we’re talking about the latest work buzzword.

Have you heard of “quiet quitting”? It’s a TikTok term that’s gone mainstream, mainly to describe Gen Z workers. It means doing your job but no more: hitting your work goals but not exceeding them, logging off at 5:00 p.m. to spend time with friends and family, and ditching the “hustle” mentality. 

Although it sounds ominous to bosses—who wants an employee who’s phoning it in?—NPR in the US reports that it’s somewhat of a misnomer and should be seen instead as “carving out time to take care of yourself.” With high rates of burnout worldwide following the pandemic, that can mean setting boundaries at work.  

Another buzzy phrase is “acting your wage”; like quiet quitting, it suggests that you shouldn’t go above and beyond without pay or recognition. Young workers are often feeling: 

Disconnection. Gen Z already has the highest rates of mental-health concerns, and work isolation (we may be years into our first jobs having never met our colleagues IRL) doesn’t help. Social capital—our networks, relationships, and trust—is the glue that holds teams together, and employees might feel adrift with remote work. 

Too much connection. Workers are increasingly expected to be online 24/7, even for a 9 to 5. While there may be no one in the physical office (or no office at all), everyone seems to stay logged on, so for many, the workday never really ends. But there’s no bonus pay for answering your email at 10:00 p.m.

A different direction. Gen Z isn’t viewing our careers in the same way as our predecessors, and some of us are turning from the idea of a “dream job” to a job that supports our dreams instead.

Here’s what to consider if you’re a boss: 

And if you’re considering some quiet quitting of your own: 

VISUALIZE IT

Even though organizations report mental health as a top goal, the burnout burden on their employees hasn’t eased.

Wait, don’t scroll 

Maybe a new gig? The work world is changing in other ways, too—last year 36 percent of employed US respondents to our American Opportunity Survey identified as independent workers, including freelancing, working gig-to-gig, or having a side hustle. Here’s why these workers are much more optimistic about the future than their 9-to-5 peers.  

Mentor makeover. Learning from colleagues is a big part of leaning in. In this edition of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey’s Lisa Christensen, Tony Gambell, Robert Palter, and Roberta Fusaro chat about apprenticeship and why it shouldn’t be seen as an outdated idea. 

Time to act. Burnout rates in Asia are exceptionally high, with “toxic workplace behavior” as the number one concern. How can leaders turn the tide? 

NOT US; STILL GREAT

Can I interest you in an office? London’s empty office space has jumped 50 percent since the start of the pandemic, equivalent to 45 skyscrapers of unused square footage. [Times]

Want to hear from some quiet quitters? Here’s why some people have started to coast at their jobs and what engagement trends look like overall. [WSJ]

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CROSSWORD (TO BE DONE OFF THE CLOCK)

— Edited by Sarah Skinner, Gen Z curation editor, New York