tl;dr: Gen-Z with pedigree have zero work ethics
I’m not trying to romanticize burnout or act like overworking is the goal - no one’s asking for 80-hour weeks or to be glued to a desk. It’s just about showing up and really putting in the work during the hours you're actually there. Get through the day, put in the grind for the 8-9 hours, instead of always finding little workarounds or boundaries like work’s this huge burden. With some folks, especially Gen-Z? It’s like they’re expecting applause just for clocking in.
Honestly, the entitlement sometimes is hard to understand. Wanting work-life balance? Totally fair, makes sense. But there’s still a basic commitment that comes with a job. Every time there’s a project with a bit of grit, it feels like there’s this immediate instinct to push back, sidestep the tough parts, and look for the smoothest route. Nobody’s above rolling up their sleeves, you know? But some of these guys, they treat working hard like it’s an outdated concept, like giving full effort is optional. And for those with the big names on their degrees? Sometimes it feels like they think that alone should mean they’re past the heavy lifting. They want the titles and perks, but without really showing the effort.
On the other hand, working with folks who didn’t have all those privileges? Whole different story. They’re here ready to prove something, fully leaning into whatever task’s in front of them. They don’t get caught up in endless boundary-setting or second-guessing feedback - they’re putting in the work, seeing it as a chance, not a chore. And they don’t expect shortcuts; they’re in for the real effort.
It’s not about glorifying long hours - it’s about being fully present for the hours you’re on the clock. Seeing some of this avoidance around commitment, it’s like somewhere along the line, the understanding got lost that success is built in the small, daily grind - the stuff that doesn’t come with instant validation.
Genz are completely right in taking work as it is in this economy. Working hard needs to amount to something by achieving some life goals. If people can't buy or rent a house and live paycheck to paycheck, what is the incentive to work hard. genz wants work to be secondary until their own thing becomes successful.
Would you mind sharing some examples? Possibly something that better explains the comparison you've drawn in your post
Ok then hire the people without privileges 👍
I will give example
Near to my office seat there is group of 4 genz developers. Who come to office and watch Netflix or some other ott in office half of the day .and remaining half goes in meeting lunch and tea breaks And on top of that I heard them saying in meetings that they are not able to understand the code which they are supposed to work on.
I never saw those 4 guys putting effort to understand the code or having discussion about technical things .
But on other side there are committed individuals as well . It's just that committed people are getting lesser day by day ....
This is a gross generalisation
Ask yourself one question- underprivileged people that you have described in 2nd last paragraph, are you paying them more? If not, write to the employers. It’s not Gen Z’s fault. You sound a manager yourself. Next time, give a better appraisal :)