What’s work got to do with it?

What’s Work Got to Do With It?
By Georgina Badine

The other day someone told me Gen Z didn’t want to work anymore.
I almost choked on my drink.

Because here’s the thing, every generation has had its battle with the workplace. What’s really changed is how we talk about it (and who’s finally brave enough to say, “actually, this doesn’t work for me”).

Let’s break it down.

Gen X: The Original Quiet Achievers

Gen X walked into offices that smelt like cigarette smoke and Nescafe. They were the OGs of “just get your head down and crack on.” No LinkedIn, no online portfolios, no DMs to hiring managers; just a CV printed on paper and a hope that someone at reception would pass it on.

They were independent because they had to be. Raised on latchkeys and landlines, Gen X made careers out of figuring things out with little hand holding and a lot of resilience. But that also meant they often internalised a “don’t complain, just cope” culture, one that’s hard to unlearn.

Millennials: The Burnout Generation

Cue the next act: millennials. Bright-eyed, degree-holding, hope-filled… and promptly handed the 2008 financial crisis, unpaid internships, and job descriptions asking for five years’ experience in entry level roles. Cool.

Millennials were sold the dream of “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What they got? Hustle culture, side gigs, and Sunday night anxiety. They’re the generation who brought avocado toast and the concept of burnout into the mainstream. And while they’re often labelled as “entitled,” they were the first to really challenge the idea that work should come before wellbeing. Revolutionary, really.

Gen Z: The Realists We Weren’t Ready For

Now enter Gen Z, stage left, and wow, do people have opinions.
“They’re too soft.”
“They want too much too soon.”
“They can’t handle criticism.”

But what if Gen Z isn’t soft, they’re just honest? What if they’re not entitled, they’re just unwilling to shrink themselves for a system that doesn’t work anymore?

These are the kids who came of age during lockdowns, climate crises, and cost of living chaos. They’re not lazy, they’re cautious. They’re not arrogant, they just don’t romanticise burnout like we did. They want flexibility, fairness, and a job that aligns with their values. Is that really so wild?

Same Struggles, Different Styles

Here’s the plot twist: everyone had it tough.
Gen X fought to be seen.
Millennials fought to be heard.
Gen Z is fighting to be whole.

And yes, workplaces have changed. There's better tech, better coffee, and sometimes even a dog roaming around. But the deep stuff? The need to be valued, to grow, to belong? That hasn’t changed a bit.

So before we roll our eyes at Gen Z asking for a mental health day or flexible hours, maybe ask yourself: what would it have meant if someone had offered that to you at 23?