Is Gen Z Lazy?

I’ve heard people my age talk about how “lazy” Gen Z is. “They don’t care. They just want a paycheck,” someone told me recently.

?It reminded me of all the stories I heard about those lazy, hippy Boomers with their free love. And those lazy Gen Xers who wanted to play computer games all day. Don’t get me started on those lazy Millennials who got participation trophies and didn’t want to work hard for anything.

?Every generation is called “lazy” by its predecessors because they don’t approach work the same way.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to be as curmudgeonly as the next guy (when did paying for parking get so complicated? In my day…), but Gen Z is reacting to the world events that have shaped their decisions, just as previous generations did.

Boomers pushed the notion of countries sharing ideas and increasing trade to avoid having a global war every few years. Gen Xers embraced the booming technology that allowed people to connect worldwide. Millennials grew up with those connections and insisted the workforce be more inclusive.

As children, Gen Z watched their parents struggle and lose their jobs after a global economic collapse. They began entering the workforce during a pandemic. They’ve seen people make work the focus of their lives only to see that same job toss them aside.

So, what are they doing? They’re working one job with one or two side income streams just in case. They also want time to enjoy their lives outside of work. No, they don’t want to live and breathe a job like I did when I was their age, but good for them. I’ve learned that you’re more productive when you enjoy your work and life, rather than being chained to a desk for hours on end.

Each generation alters the path based on the world as it is, not as it was. We of earlier generations need to understand how they see the world, so we know better how to motivate and work with our young counterparts. As for Gen Z, I’m excited to see where they take us.