Why No One Wants To Work Today (Especially Gen Z)

Why No One Wants To Work Today (Especially Gen Z)

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[karlstrauss]

Student debt is high, wages are low. Management is toxic and the chances of buying a home and having a family are increasingly out of reach… yeah I can’t figure out why no one wants to work anymore either.

[KamalaTheClown]

I’ve been working in corporate America going on 20 years now. I started back in 2004 and worked my way up the ranks starting at the boots on the ground customer service to where I’m at now as a VP role. The hustle is NOT worth it at all and recently after going through some mental instability caused by work, actually refocused myself for my life and family. I took on a new individual contributor management role with a very slight pay cut and it has been WONDERFUL. I am done with corporate america and now doing the bare minimum to make it by. I allowed them to steal too much of my mental and physical health. Since I took on my new outlook, I’ve lost 40lbs, spending more time with my family. I’m done with the toxicity and drama. Take your life back.

[nczioox]

40 years ago you could pay for college with a summer job. Now it costs 5-6 figures while home prices have 10x

[jacobramseyer]

I don't mind working hard. I just need fair wages and to be treated with respect. That seems to be too much for most employers these days.

[adammorra]

"Why no one wants to work 80 hours for minimum wage pay"

[lonestarrk]

I think Covid showed everybody that neither your employer nor the government is going to save you in an actual crisis. Lots of people lost jobs, health insurance, homes, family members, etc and a lot of them have still not recovered. They lost faith in the system, so they are taking a real look at what’s important, and it’s not your bosses bottom line. I’m 39 and I’m setting myself up to retire by 45.

[toddtheisen]

Not a lazy problem. A compensation problem.

[forgottenamericana]

Some of this comes from people like myself that gave 110% to my previous employer where I worked extra hours (on salary no additional pay), streamlined 2 verticals in the company making them more efficient, increased productivity more than double, and then once everything was running smoothly they fire me and replace my position with 2 lower paid managers. There is no loyalty and lots of backstabbing in corporate life. We just want respect and to be valued, not used. This disgrace has paradigm shifted our priorities.

[easyfnmoney]

20 years ago, I had a less-than 5 year old, 2 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse that I shared with a roommate. It cost $400 a month, so my part was $200 a month. I was able to afford this making $6.30 an hour. I just looked up the Zillow rent estimate and the same property is renting for $2, 400. Gen Z isn't the issue; Gen Z hasn't been given a fair chance.

[kittysaywut]

Hustling for an employer is a losing proposition, there will always be someone outhustling you, or a boss' family member taking the carrot away from you.
On the other hand, hustle for your own projects or company, then you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. Better yet if you use the knowledge you gain from your employer and apply it in your own company.

[brianwright]

People do want to work, they just want to work for ample pay and be appreciated for their contributions

[Dom_]

Pay people enough to live a good life, have them working less hours per week so they can enjoy said lives and make sure your work environment isn’t a toxic hellscape. Do that and you’ll have a workforce full of people who love their jobs and are eager to provide value. You’ll also have a line around the block of people wanting to work for you.

[dutchfarmer]

Yeah, I like being told "just work when you are already are....

[mattd.]

My Dad had 1 job working for Caterpillar in Joliet Illinois when i grew up. He worked midnights for 28 years. He worked some overtime but not much. We had everything, nice home, nice cars, good food, beautiful community which he was involved in. He came to all my school events and.had.a very good life. My grandfather worked 1 job at Commonwealth Edison he was the same. Great pay, great retirement, great life. Now in 2024 the Caterpillar plant is gone, the Com-Ed plant is gone and a whole lot more is histoey
What they were earning in 1990 is about what i make today! Im not working 80 hour weeks because i refuse! I am going fishing with my kids, i am takiing my wife out for dinner, i am going camping with my family. Money means less to me as i age and im 52!

[brettdavidson]

Why no one wants be exploited is a better title people always work 🙄

[bryonraper]

Everyone should find their real worth.

Work for yourself. It’s an eye opener.

[kaitlyntenters]

I am 25, I am 80k in debt for student loans and make 19 an hour with no overtime. My loans ask for 800-900 a month depending on variable rates. I won’t be able to buy a house until I get a higher salary. I choose jobs for higher salary not for the love of the job. I’m in survival mode right now

[cs]

Work hard and work honest, but don’t work your life away.

[SOG]

The people with easy office jobs that barely do any work and make bank are always the ones that scream the "no one wants to work" line the most and loudest

[chezshirecat]

As a Gen Xer, it’s not that I don’t want to work. I am in a position I was hired to do one thing perfectly. Now I have 5 different sub specialties I need to know and well without a pay bump in knowing any of this. It is exhausting.