The shifting work attitudes of Generation Z towards traditional employment reveal a significant change. This generation’s unique perspective challenges the conventional beliefs held by previous generations, raising the question: Is this an evolution or disenchantment with the labor market?

The resonance of viral videos among Generation Z reflects a significant shift in their perception of traditional work. This phenomenon has become more evident during the pandemic, acting as a catalyst and redefining the core values of this generation. Generation Z presents a unique perspective that challenges the meritocratic beliefs passed down by their parents and grandparents.

The rejection of work as the central axis of life is a key principle that has emerged and accelerated during the pandemic. A critique of the salaried work system began to surface, highlighting perceived abuses and drawing attention to the lack of reflection by previous generations on quality of life.

Statistics support this change in attitude. According to a Randstad report, 58% of young people aged 18 to 24 would be willing to leave their job if it does not guarantee quality of life. Moreover, the number of employed individuals aged 20 to 24 who wish to work fewer hours has seen a notable increase. This disenchantment with conventional work could be interpreted as a break from the identity that work provided to previous generations.

Generation Z has also abandoned the idea that the company is an integral part of their lives. With increased job mobility and more limited career opportunities, long-term commitment to a company has become less common. Young people seek a balance between work and personal life, moving away from the extreme dedication to the company that characterized previous generations. This generation no longer considers work as the central element of their lives.

The search for a purpose beyond mere financial survival has also influenced Generation Z’s perception of work. This demographic tends to prioritize contributing to society and making a positive impact on the world, opting for jobs that align with their values and allow them to address social and environmental issues.

The idea of a balanced life has displaced the «work until you drop» mentality that characterized previous generations. Generation Z values free time, mental well-being, and meaningful connections with others. Technology, which has been both a blessing and a curse in this regard, facilitates global connection but can also contribute to digital burnout.


Currently, there is a significant shift in the perception of work, particularly among millennials, according to recent research. Sociologist Mariano Urraco, who delved into the work environments of this generation for his doctoral thesis, notes that the difficulty in developing affection for work arises when effort does not translate into substantial improvements. This phenomenon is particularly evident when the reward is precariousness and biographical challenges, leading to disenchantment with the traditional work logic centered on fulfillment through work.

A New Perspective on Work

The anti-work discourse, rooted in the generation born in the 1990s, is based on the disconnect between promises and daily reality. The decrease in wages for workers aged 26 to 35 since 2007 has contributed to increasing frustration. This sociologist suggests that the rise of this discourse may be a psychological response to the perception that effort does not produce the desired results.

From a human resources perspective, Guido Stein, professor of People Management at IESE, highlights the frustration of managers with the attitude of young people towards work. However, he also acknowledges that some companies have contributed to this dissatisfaction due to questionable practices.

The economic analysis provided by José Ignacio Conde Ruiz, professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, focuses on economic rationality. He argues that working less can be considered a rational decision when wages are low and basic needs, such as housing, are difficult to meet. Conde Ruiz emphasizes that anti-work sentiment may be a reaction to unfulfilled promises and a lack of upward mobility opportunities.

Sociologically, disenchantment with work may be more pronounced in the middle class, which has witnessed upward social mobility in previous generations. Some experts suggest that the current labor system does not offer sufficient rewards to justify continuous effort.

The final question that arises is whether anti-work sentiment is a lasting paradigm shift in a post-work society or an adaptation to a challenging reality. The answer to this question may depend on whether the future labor market offers more economic and professional development opportunities, thus raising the possibility of a transformation in the perception and value of work in contemporary society.