As Gen Z are entering the workforce by storm, they are redefining it in their own ways. From ‘quiet quitting’ to ‘conscious unbossing’, we’re seeing a shift in how Gen Z perceive work and the idea of a career compared to other generations. The latest term to emerge is ‘career minimalism’.
According to a report by Glassdoor, ‘career minimalism’ is a “lily-pad” style of career building. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, Gen Z are choosing to stay where they are, keeping things at work simple by refusing to work extra hours or take on extra responsibilities. And that involves taking on management roles—in the same Glassdoor report, it was mentioned that 60% of Gen Z workers said that they’d avoid moving into a management role.
Was Kim Kardashian right? Does nobody want to work these days? The answer is much more nuanced—the rise of ‘career minimalism’ comes from a generation that has a completely different idea or notion of a ‘career’.
For Gen Z, there have been many factors at play that made them realise that prioritising a career does not fulfil them in life. For one, climbing the corporate ladder is useless if there is nowhere to go. The rise in modern health and medicine has increased life expectancy for all, further pushing the retirement age limit. So, top leadership positions are held by senior officials, leaving no space for younger professionals to advance.
There’s also the big elephant in the room—the rising cost of living. Considering that salaries don’t match the cost of living, Gen Z have no choice but to either pick up a second job or a side hustle. This could usually mean a craft business, freelance work, or getting monetised on social media. The Glassdoor report mentions that 57% of Gen Z currently have a side hustle, compared to 48% of Millennials, 31% of Gen X-ers, and 21% of Boomers. Beyond the extra income, these side hustles are usually passion projects that take up most of Gen Z’s ambition. So in this way, ‘career minimalism’ helps to provide a cushy stability and a foundation to explore real passions, while the extra income keeps them afloat.
Finally, outside of environmental factors, ‘career minimalism’ is a result of a shift in mindset. For most of Gen Z, prioritising mental health and having a work-life balance is a non-negotiable in the workplace. Hence why terms like ‘quite quitting’, ‘conscious unbossing’, and ‘career minimalism’ exist in the first place. Simply put, Gen Z refuse to live to work; instead, they work to live. COVID-19, lockdown, and excessive social media use and screentime made Gen Z realise the value of in-person connection. We see this in the rise of community-focused groups, both within the UAE and internationally.
The rise of these terms does feel ironic, considering how much the aesthetic of corporate or office life is idealised. But aesthetics don’t necessarily mean they match reality. For most of Gen Z, they can appreciate an ‘office siren’ outfit, they might even wear it while going to work! But considering the rising cost of living, lack of leadership positions, and desire to have an identity outside of labour, this is the reality that pushes Gen Z toward ‘career minimalism’.
