Recently, people on the internet were talking about how Millennials and Gen Z are vastly different when it comes to their attitudes at the workplace. While millennials are happy to burn themselves out for their companies, Gen Z has more of a ‘couldn’t give a damn’ attitude. They don’t ask for leaves; they just let their bosses know that they won’t be coming in for work.
Speaking of which, a post by Krishna Mohan recently sparked a heated debate online about mental health and work culture. Krishna shared that a Gen Z team member asked for a one-week leave during a critical project phase. When Krishna tried to convince him otherwise, the young employee held his ground. The reason? A breakup, and he wanted time away in the mountains to clear his head.
One of my Gen z team members suddenly declared 1 week leave. It was a critical time of the project so I tried to reason. He did not budge. The leave was because he had a breakup and he wanted to go to the mountains to forget the breakup.
— Krishna Mohan (@KiMoJiRa) November 6, 2024
While some found it hard to believe, many people rallied behind the Gen Z employee. They argued that breakups can be devastating, and taking time off to process emotions shouldn’t be frowned upon. They criticized Krishna for appearing to dismiss the importance of mental health, particularly during an emotionally challenging time.
Have a look:
It’s better to give them a break than overwhelm them with deadlines when they are already under the weather. Less suicidal tendencies the better.
— akzaisme (@itsakza) November 6, 2024
That’s a perfect reason to declare leave.
Business is business, will go on as will other things.— Heisenberg (@hv_heisenberg) November 6, 2024
Unless the world is dying, all deadlines can extend. Believe me and trust me, start talking, if you have clients, they also understand.
— RAJ JAISWAL (@rajjaiswalsaumy) November 6, 2024
good for them, this is how labor conditions improve
— pete k. (@right2copyy) November 6, 2024
This is a boomer fallout issue. Because over the decades people learned even top performers were not treated well so the pendulum has swung the other way with extreme prejudice.
— Jason P (@JasonkkParker) November 6, 2024
I don’t think it should matter why they take leave. It’s employees privilege and they utilize it.
— Harrison McDonald (@Harrison_cool) November 6, 2024
So you mean to say you don’t give a damm about his mental health. He did inform with reason. Because of people like you Indian corporate is becoming toxic.
— DDsAlgo (@DDsAlgo) November 6, 2024
In response to the backlash, Krishna clarified that he had no ill intentions. He explained that the team member was still in his team and had even been promoted for his dedication and good work. His original point, he said, was simply to show how differently Gen Z approaches work-life balance compared to previous generations.
Mate. No need to assume the worst. The guy is still in my team and has even been promoted for his good work. I was just stating how gen z’s are doing things differently
— Krishna Mohan (@KiMoJiRa) November 6, 2024
It’s time companies should sit down and have a bigger conversation about mental health, self-care and flexibility at the workplace.