As remote work opportunities continue to take up space in the corporate world, Gen Z’ers are leveraging the flexibility afforded by technology to redefine their lifestyles. Fueled by a desire for wellness, balance, and a softer life, Gen Z is seemingly rejecting the traditional notion of corporate 9-5, to introduce in its place a new era of work culture.
Whether it’s embracing careers in social media, immersing themselves in co-working dynamics and digital nomadism, or adopting softer approaches to traditional corporate roles, Gen Z is actively reshaping the rules of work-life balance.
Via @freelance_amy on Instagram
A soft life approach to work culture
TikTok trends are seemingly spearheading a revolution in work culture. Spend some time on your for you page and you’re guaranteed to be told to ‘romanticize your life’ and choose a ‘soft life’. Gen Z is applying the rules of romanticizing to their jobs, in an effort to re-imagine work culture in a way that is more fun and aesthetic.
@mayaspirationn 👩🏻💻☁️💻 #corporategirl #minivlog #corporategirlies #careergirl #careergoals #corporatebaddie #careerwoman #thatgirl #careergirlie #thatgirlroutines ♬ if u use this sound ur automatically hot – 🎸
Some recent trends like dopamine desks, serve as an indication that the generation is craving more creative freedom and expression in their work environment, whilst other niche trends are simply calling for more balance…
Quiet Quitting
Quiet quitting involves employees strategically maintaining a low profile at work, in order to just do only what is asked of them in their roles, i.e. the bare minimum. It serves as a direct rejection of hustle culture, advocating that, instead, working only within your requirements is OK and should be normalized. It is another way that Gen Z is calling for more work-life balance.
@motivationalviraltv #quietquitting #newgeneration #simonsinek #genzthings #genz #job ♬ original sound – Motivational Viral TV
Lazy Girl Jobs
Despite its name, the Lazy Girl Jobs trend doesn’t actually advocate for laziness. Rather it is a lighthearted way of redefining the concept of productivity. Similar to quiet quitting, find a ‘lazy girl job’ simply means opting for a ‘softer’ approach to a corporate career – one that instead allows you the time and flexibility to have a work life balance.
@raeandzeebo Loving it🥰 #fyp #xyzbca #job #lazygirljob #corporate #9to5 #officelife #workbreak #VikingRise ♬ Summer Background Jazz – Jazz Background Vibes
It’s giving work-life balance
Many Gen Z’ers who entered the workforce for the first time did so during the pandemic. For a lot of current 20-somethings, the ‘new normal’ approach to working is actually all they know of the corporate world. A 2022 report by Indeed found 82% of gen Z respondents had “never worked in an in-person office environment full-time”.
As the pandemic normalized work-life balance for everyone, it is only natural that Gen Z sees this as a priority when it comes to choosing a career. Beauty content creator Alicia Breuer claims, “Working for myself and on my own accord benefits me as it allows me to have time to prioritise things I enjoy as well as things that are good for my well-being, like the gym.”
Via @aliciarosebreuer on Instagram
Social Media University
Whilst remote working in and of itself is not a new phenomenon, it appears that Gen Z has ushered it into a new cultural era. Social media has harnessed a wealth of opportunities to build a successful career that does not necessarily conform to the traditional 9-5 narrative. For fashion and beauty content creator, Millie Leer, that is just part of the appeal,
“As a part of Gen Z, I think we are no longer held to the idea that you need to work your way up a ‘corporate ladder’ to achieve success. Today, there are many job opportunities available to those who aren’t primed for those conditions. I do think this is why being an influencer is a very appealing route to those looking for an alternative to the 9-5 grind”.
According to a report from Morning Consult, 57% of Gen Zers said they would like to become an influencer if given the chance.
Via @millieleer on Instagram
Jessica Henig, Founder and CEO Unlocked Branding has coined the phrase ‘Social Media University’ to describe the phenomenon of some Gen Z’ers forgoing the traditional ‘university experience’ to prioritize building a remote career through social media;
“Gen Z has prioritised flexibility, mental health, and a sense of belonging as staple values. Nowadays, It is viable to find a job or career that is enjoyable, and that you’re good at, with some flexibility. With social media, there is much more widespread accessibility for contacts, mentors, audiences, and more.”
The rise of co-working culture
Co-working culture, it seems, has become another by-product of ‘romanticizing’ and ‘soft life‘ discourses on social media. Co-working culture exists to blur the lines between traditional office work and remote working. In shared co-working spaces, workers can reap the benefits of an office environment, without necessarily being tied down by it.
Flexibility is a cornerstone of co-working culture, allowing individuals to choose their work hours and tailor their environment to suit their needs. These spaces often provide amenities such as shared resources, meeting rooms, and events, creating a holistic ecosystem that goes beyond mere workspaces.
@thedubailist New office alert 😉 #workspace #coworkingspace #working #plantshop #cafe #plants #ivyssecretgarden #hiddengems #wheretogodubai #alquoz #dubai #dxb #uae ♬ Calm Down – Rema & Selena Gomez
In true Gen Z fashion, the appeal of co-working culture is that it gives you a choice of when to socialize in a work environment. As work-life balance takes center stage, it seems co-working culture and hybrid schemes are leading the charge. A new report reveals that 70% of Gen Z in the UAE want hybrid work environments.
As a Gen Z talent manager, Jessica Henig weighs in on the importance of a work environment, “Being in the office provides an important connection that we crave as humans. Long-term remote work can be damaging which is why the new age hybrid schedules can be helpful”.
How digital nomads pioneered co-working culture
The allure of working from exotic locations often portrayed glamorously on social media has fueled a global migration toward co-working culture, too. Digital nomadism has been one of the fastest growing advancements in work culture over recent years. A study by MBO Partners found that 17.3 million workers in the USA alone consider themselves digital nomads.
@mayakapouranis life tastes extra sweet rn #sayulita #remoteworklife #digitalnomad ♬ original sound – ♬~♡
Gen Z is perhaps the first generation to fully embrace remote working, ushering in a new era of expats and digital nomads that come together to co-work and form communities across the globe.
Bali has emerged as a thriving hub for digital nomads and is known as the pioneer of co-working culture. The island’s co-working spaces foster a sense of community, where workers can access office environments whilst still having an unparalleled work-life balance in a tropical destination.
Via @lostcreatoracademy on Instagram
Closer to home, Dubai is a growing hub for co-workers alike, with cutting-edge office spaces and networking hubs, connecting Gen Z’ers across industries.
Via @thebureauae on Instagram
Although these new trends aren’t applicable to some industries and service-based roles, there is still an undeniable shift in the traditional workforce. Companies are working to keep up with the Gen Z zeitgeist, introducing flexible hours, hybrid schemes, co-working space memberships, and remote working opportunities. It’s giving Gen Z corporatecore!