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By Suzanne Blake
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If you ask Gen Z, the rumors are true—it is the laziest generation, according to a new survey from Homebase.
In the scheduling platform's recent report, all generations agreed that Gen Z was the laziest, including 50 percent of Gen Zers themselves. The age cohort, which spans from 12 to 27, has gotten a bad reputation in the workforce for being lazy and likely to jump ship, making it appear more challenging for employers.
However, according to Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Gen Z might be lazy in the traditional sense of not working as "hard," but it might actually not have the ramifications for work that some employers imagine.
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"Many in Gen Z embracing the term 'lazy' may not think of the word in self-deprecating terms, but rather as a part of a 'work smarter, not harder' philosophy," Beene told Newsweek. "We've seen a shift in the workplace during and following the pandemic of a younger workforce that doesn't want their job to define their life."
Despite Gen Z's perception by itself and others as the lazy generation, it is likely to identify with hustle culture. About 75 percent of those in the age 18 to 24 range said they agreed with the idea of hustle culture.
Gen Z recently entered the workforce, many during remote work conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so many have adjusted to the lifestyle.
"The truth is that Gen Z are no lazier than any other generation," Andy Nisevic, director of One Degree Training and Coaching, told Newsweek. "They're just a product of a society that's evolved far quicker than at any point in history. That means the things that motivate them are very different from what motivated previous generations."
When you look at what motivates Gen Z, you'll find it is just as productive and hard working as anyone else, Nisevic said.
Bryan Driscoll, an HR consultant, said the youngest working generation almost always bears labels like lazy or entitled, but it usually just reflects intergenerational biases.
Driscoll said the extent of it, plus the "hustle culture" that Gen Zers have willingly adopted, could influence their view of themselves as lazy.
"One possible explanation for Gen Z's self-perception could be the pervasive narrative of hustle culture, which glorifies relentless work and productivity," Driscoll said. "Despite its widespread acceptance among young people, hustle culture is inherently tied to capitalist ideals that prioritize profits over people. The pressures of hustle culture can lead to overwork and a feeling of inadequacy when individuals inevitably fail to meet its unsustainable demands."
While Gen Z has grown up in the internet age, with plenty of information at its fingertips, it also has been thrown in the middle of economic instability, alarming rates of student debt and a "precarious" job market, Driscoll said.
"Generational views on work have evolved," he said. "Boomers and Gen X often emphasize loyalty and long hours, while millennials and Gen Z are more likely to challenge the status quo, seeking flexibility and purpose in their careers.
"This shift highlights a growing awareness of the need for a more humane and balanced approach to work."
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