Name: Office work.
Age: The first purpose-built offices appeared in the 18th century.
Appearance: Cubicle-shaped.
Why are we talking about the office? What a buzzkill. Because it’s back, baby.
Is this about employers forcing people back into the office, citing “culture” and “connection”, but mostly wanting to check employees aren’t slacking? It’s true that there’s been a push from big employers such as Amazon and Tesco over the past year to get people back on site, but this is different: in a new Bupa survey of 8,000 workers, 45% of gen Z respondents said they were considering looking for jobs with more social interaction.
Interesting. Why? Because they’re lonely: 38% of them feel socially isolated because of their work circumstances; that’s more than other generations. “I specifically applied for roles with a physical office where I have supportive colleagues, can socialise at lunchtimes and meet friends in the evenings,” one gen Z worker explained.
I thought they wanted to be TikTok content creators not corporate drones? Actually, the influencers were the loneliest of all: 45% said their work made them feel lonely and a third were considering returning to “full-time, traditional employment” in the next five years.
Huh. You can tell they have never been in an office if they think it’s something to aspire to. Aren’t you excited about this infusion of new young blood? They’ll be a breath of fresh air!
I’m fine with the old, stale, instant coffee and resentment-scented air. Young people in the office sounds loud and tiring. But the office is becoming the new hype place to be! Maybe they’ll start queueing outside? Telling you your spreadsheet “ate” and complimenting your suits as “Severance core”?
I doubt it. Didn’t another recent survey find only one in 10 young workers wanted to be in the office full-time? Yes, but even if they are only in a few days a week it would be fun. Just imagine the glow-up you’ll get by association: “Hi guys, get ready with me for the absolutely fire Q3 P&L presentation!”
GRWM for an afternoon of glaring at Dave eating sardines al desko again, more like. Hang on though – didn’t I read about gen Z just pretending to work when they are in the office? Erm, yes: in February, Fortune magazine explored the phenomenon of gen Z “task masking” at work – typing frenetically, or walking around pretending to take calls.
A-ha! Well pretending to work is a time-honoured tradition. With a bit of mentorship, it sounds as if they’ll fit right in. I could teach them to walk around holding a piece of paper for hours, unchallenged! That’s the spirit. Sorry, “Slay, queen”.
Do say: “The office provides lonely gen-Z workers with social interaction, support, intergenerational friendships and vital career mentorship …”
Don’t say: “… But more importantly, free stationery and toilet roll.”