Gen Z workers are openly multitasking during the workday—and many aren’t hiding it. According to new data from streaming service Tubi, 84% of Gen Z employees say they watch TV shows or movies while working from home, and nearly half admit they’ve lied to managers about it. And yes—over half say they’ve even delayed work to finish a binge.
For some employers, this reinforces the fear that remote work is unproductive. But HR leaders say it’s not that simple. Working from home can be isolating, and having a show playing can fill the silence or provide a sense of companionship.
“As hybrid-work models continue to be the norm, the boundary between work and entertainment becomes more fluid,” says Cynthia Clevenger, senior vice president of B2B marketing at Tubi. “Streaming isn’t always a distraction—it can help workers take breaks, stay engaged, or refocus.”
Still, trust between employers and remote workers has been strained. Some companies continue to push for full-time office returns, citing worries about lost productivity and fewer opportunities for collaboration. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, for instance, has said remote work especially disadvantages younger workers—and has required employees to return to the office five days a week.
Workhuman, an employee recognition software company, found that younger generations are also more likely to engage in what they call “fauxductivity”—appearing busy without actually producing work.
But HR experts caution that streaming isn’t the problem—workplace culture is.
“Employees today are dealing with burnout, stress, and disengagement,” says Meisha-ann Martin, senior director of people analytics at Workhuman. “These behaviors reflect larger well-being challenges.”
For Gen Z specifically—raised in a digital-first world—background entertainment can act as a focusing tool, similar to body doubling.
“Instead of policing streaming, employers should focus on whether work is getting done,” says Simran Bhatia, head of people operations at Reality Defender. “Trust should be the baseline—not suspicion.”
While Tubi reports that many Gen Z workers are wary of returning to the office because they’ll lose the freedom to stream, HR leaders say what’s really at stake is autonomy and the ability to manage one’s environment.
“Yes, Gen Z is streaming at work—and it’s not always a productivity drain,” says Patrice Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad. “It’s a signal that we need to rethink how attention works in the modern workplace, not punish workers for adapting.”