Gen Z is making its mark in the workplace and distinguishing themselves from millennials and older generations.

The days of the Millennial “girl boss” climbing the corporate ladder while simultaneously compromising other aspects of their life are becoming a thing of the past. There is a new generation that prioritizes workplace culture, mental health and work-life balance now. It’s not that Gen Z doesn’t aspire to make it to the top — they’re just less willing to sacrifice everything else to get there.

Keep reading to discover how Gen Z is paving their own path regarding work.

Not Tolerating Poor Leadership

Gen Z sets clear workplace boundaries by responding to poor leadership with “quiet quitting.” This approach means they get their job done to ensure they are not fired but don’t go above and beyond, as they refuse to give their all to toxic or incompetent bosses.

@allifromcorporate0 TedX- Beyond Quiet Quitting: Motivating the New Work Force #quietquitting ♬ original sound – Allison Peck ⚡️

According to an article written by Fast Company, “Gen Z isn’t quietly quitting—they’re actively deciding where to invest their energy. If leaders fail to evolve, disengagement isn’t a mystery, it’s a predictable outcome. But for companies that embrace kindness, fairness, and structure, Gen Z won’t just stay — they’ll excel.”

Prioritizing Work-life Balance

Since the pandemic, many young professionals have never experienced full-time, in-office work. Social media has become an outlet for Gen Z to express how vital these hybrid or fully remote options are, allowing them to travel or make time for other interests. Gen Z also recognizes how being overworked takes a toll on mental health.

@cassierfrancis I can’t ever go back. Desk is linked in my bio! #workfromhome #9to5 #9to5life #workfromhomelife #marketingmanager #socialmediamanager ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

According to Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millenial survey, “Gen Zs are more focused on work/life balance than climbing to the top of the corporate ladder — only 6 percent say their primary goal is to reach a leadership position.”

For many, the goal isn’t to live to work but to work to live.

Choosing Jobs That Share Their Values

Compared to previous generations, Gen Z is placing a greater weight on whether a company aligns with its ethics when choosing a job.

Per Deloitte research, “Gen Z no longer forms opinions of a company solely based on the quality of their products/services but also now on their ethics, practices and social impact. To win the hearts of Gen Z, companies and employers will need to highlight their efforts to be good global citizens.”

Overall, one thing is clear: Gen Z would like to be treated like human beings rather than cogs in the workforce machine.