“Gen Z does not want to work hard.”
“Gen Z gets tired too soon.”
“All they want is luxury, but without the struggle.”
I am sure you have heard these lines at the workplace, in family gatherings, or maybe you have even said them yourself. But let us pause for a moment. Is this really the whole truth about Gen Z? Or are we missing something deeper?
Born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has entered the workforce with very different expectations compared to Millennials, Gen X, or Baby Boomers. They are the first fully digital generation, growing up with information at their fingertips, endless opportunities on display, and yes, also the pressure of constant comparison.
So why do they often come across as “burned out too soon”?
Because they have lived through a world of perpetual crises: the pandemic, climate anxiety, economic instability, and a social media culture that glorifies “success overnight.” Their nervous systems are wired differently: more stimulation, more exposure, more anxiety.
Why the lack of “interest in hard work”?
It is not necessarily laziness. Gen Z values meaning over money and balance over burnout. Unlike previous generations, they do not see slogging for 12 hours a day as a badge of honour. For them, work is one part of life, not the whole of it. That does not mean they do not want success. It just means they want to achieve it differently.
And who is responsible for this shift?
Well, all of us. Parents, educators, employers, and society at large. We created an environment where success is measured in likes, shares, and quick wins. We sold them the dream of “luxury lifestyles” on social media while also telling them to “work hard quietly.” The contradiction is glaring.
Here, parents especially need to pause and reflect. After all, it is said that home is the first school of a child, and parents the first teacher. If Gen Z seems entitled or addicted to instant gratification, who introduced this idea to them in the first place? Many of today’s parents often from service-class or business families worked hard to afford more than their own parents could. Out of love and care, they “served life on a platter” for their children, sometimes blurring the lines between needs and wants.
By giving them instant access to gadgets, comforts, branded lifestyles, or by shielding them from hardship, parents unknowingly set a pattern. A confusion: Should I really work hard and smart, or can I lean on name, fame, and privilege? By the time these children grow into young adults ready for jobs, their value systems, expectations, and patterns are already shaped.
This is not about blame. Naah! It is about accountability. Parents must also ask: What values did we reinforce? What patterns did we allow? It’s not too late, though. With honest reflection and conscious effort, this generation can still be guided to distinguish between needs and wants, between survival and show-off. It may be hard work, but it’s possible and necessary.
So, where does this leave Gen Z in terms of career and future?
- Those who learn to channel their creativity and tech-savviness will thrive in fields we could not even imagine 10 years ago.
- Those who give in to instant gratification may struggle with consistency, resilience, and building long-term careers.
- And organisations that fail to adapt to their mindset risk losing them to more flexible, value-driven employers.
What’s the takeaway?
Instead of labelling Gen Z as “lazy” or “entitled,” let us understand their wiring and our role in shaping it. They are not afraid of work. They are afraid of meaningless work. They do not lack ambition. They want ambition that aligns with purpose. They do not reject effort, they reject exhaustion without reward.
The future belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, they are here to remind us and their parents that life is more than just working ourselves to the bone.
- What is your take on Gen Z at work?
- Do you think they are truly “lazy,” or are they just rewriting the rules of success?
- And as parents, do we need to re-examine the value system we have passed on?
Share your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear your perspective.