Gen Z hands in their resignation on Whatsapp, much to the annoyance of their employers

The resignation letter currently popular among Generation Z consists of four words: "sorry and goodbye." A Threads post by an employer displaying a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation in which a Gen Z member resigns with a few words and a simple PDF attachment went viral, shocking boomers with the new ways of the younger generation. The caption for the post "Modern-day resignation: WhatsApp sent, job ended" (in French: "Démission moderne : message WhatsApp envoyé, fin de l'emploi") summarizes the feelings of managers tired of working with young adults who seemingly have a different definition of the word "professionalism." This viral post adds to an ongoing conversation in which Gen Z’s workplace reputation remains controversial. Recently, multiple media outlets, including Euronews, reported that companies are firing young recruits as quickly as they are hiring them. Reasons for this include a perceived lack of motivation and lack of professionalism, traits often attributed to today's youth. But is Gen Z as lazy and impolite as portrayed by older generations?

In the baby boomer era, education and securing a permanent job at a reputable company were life milestones that guaranteed a decent quality of life, with a reasonable income allowing for property ownership and a financially stable lifestyle. Today’s reality is vastly different. Due to the post-COVID inflation crisis, having a master’s degree and a full-time job at a large corporation no longer guarantees stable and sufficient income, leading to widespread stress and anxiety. Coupled with climate change and heightened awareness of social injustices, this fuels a genuine search for meaning. What’s the point of working if we can't meet our needs in a world on fire?

In this explosive mix of thoughts, new generations must adhere to traditional work rules, often facing older managers with a completely contrasting work philosophy. According to a 2023 Deloitte report, half of respondents under 30 prioritized work-life balance when considering a job. Younger workers are increasingly unwilling to tolerate toxic work environments and readily leave positions that fail to meet their expectations. Moreover, the open discussions about mental health encourage them to protect their well-being over working extra hours for a promotion. This attitude often clashes with older mindsets that insist "work comes first."

On TikTok, users share their wildest anecdotes under the hashtag #corporatebullshit, highlighting toxic workplace attitudes. Hugely popular, some videos accumulate millions of views, indicating many people relate to these stories. There’s also a wide range of humorous content depicting Gen Z resigning. For instance, @imdrebrown hands in a two-minute notice to criticize U.S. companies that terminate employees without notice, or @pasha, who drafts an overly dramatic resignation letter expressing eagerness to leave, claiming no better replacement will be found. Beneath the humor, it reflects a less amusing reality where young adults struggle to find stable, well-paying jobs in ethical, supportive environments.