13 Gen Z workplace terms and phrases
From ‘quiet firing’ to ‘resenteeism,’ there are clues about why employers and employees in America are having such a sad time
The current tension between labor and management is highlighted by the surge in workplace neologisms associated with Gen Z. Many of these terms focus on strategies to avoid traditional work structures or to mentally disengage while on the clock. While Gen Z often faces criticism for these behaviors, these trends might signal a profound shift toward redefining the relationship between work and life into something healthier and more sustainable.
Here is a look at the key terms defining this cultural shift:
**Acting your wage**
This practice involves pegging your level of effort directly to your salary. It is often adopted by those in low-paying roles or workers who believe they have been passed over for deserved promotions. Similar to the "quiet quitting" trend that emerged when the labor market was tight, "acting your wage" means fulfilling the core requirements of a role without going above and beyond to appease employers or clients, according to *Business Insider*.
**Bare minimum Mondays**
Designed to combat the "Sunday Scaries"—the anxiety that ruins the final day of the weekend due to the looming workweek—this trend suggests starting Monday with low expectations and small, achievable tasks. Coined by TikTok influencer Marisa Jo, the approach might include catching up on household chores before starting the workday. While it can help ease into the week, *CNBC* warns it could also lead to procrastination as a way to avoid stress.
**Boreout**
Distinct from burnout, which is characterized by exhaustion and overwhelm, "boreout" is a state of apathy and disinterest toward one's work. It goes beyond occasional disengagement, becoming a chronic condition where boredom is a regular feature that saps motivation. According to *Inc.*, an employee suffering from boreout might display the "Gen Z stare"—a blank expression signaling disinterest or contempt.
**Career cushioning**
This occurs when employees use sick or personal days to attend job interviews. Driven by dissatisfaction or a desire for security amidst economic upheaval and AI-driven changes, workers aim to have multiple job options lined up "just in case." *U.S. News & World Report* notes that even employees with a history of steady employment are feeling nervous about their future within their current companies.
**Coffee badging**
Born out of conflicts over Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates, "coffee badging" refers to the practice of briefly showing up to the office to be seen, swiping one's badge, and perhaps grabbing a coffee in front of colleagues before immediately returning home to work. *Yahoo Finance* describes it as a strategy to maintain the freedom of remote work while technically adhering to office attendance rules.
**Downshifting**
Challenging the traditional concept of constantly climbing the career ladder, downshifting is part of a broader trend of "career minimalism." It can involve reducing hours and commitment in a current job, avoiding management positions ("conscious unbossing"), or leaving the corporate sector entirely for trade work. *The Conversation* notes that it is increasingly common to see professionals, such as interior designers or bankers, leave their fields to become bakers or electricians.
**Microbreak**
Replacing the antiquated concept of the long, three-martini lunch, younger workers are opting for very short breaks throughout the day. These "microbreaks" are effective energy management strategies that help employees bounce back from fatigue, reports *Forbes*. They also serve as a tool to address various pathologies in modern workplace culture.
**Quiet firing**
The counterpart to "quiet quitting," this practice often occurs in remote environments where a manager ignores an employee, withholding the support, mentoring, or guidance needed to succeed. In some cases, as described by *Gallup*, supervisors will intentionally allow employees to endure toxic or miserable experiences as a strategy to squeeze them out of the organization.
**Rage applying**
When a worker feels particularly aggrieved by their current job, they may engage in "rage applying"—firing off multiple applications for new positions in a burst of frustration. While the rise of AI screening and fake job postings may make this strategy less effective, *Xref* notes that the act of applying can be cathartic for dissatisfied employees.
**Resenteeism**
A play on the word "absenteeism," this term refers to workers who physically show up but do not want to be there, resulting in low effort and effectiveness. *Forbes* links the rise of resenteeism to a widening perception gap between organizational leaders and their employees; if a workforce is resentful, the company is likely doing something fundamentally wrong.
**Snail girl**
The "snail girl" is the antithesis of the Millennial "girlboss" archetype. Instead of pursuing career ambition at all costs, a snail girl prioritizes work-life balance, working to live rather than living to work. *Fortune* describes this as an antidote to years of "perpetual hustling," though it is often viewed as a temporary phase or "era" rather than a permanent end to ambition.
**Taskmasking**
Also known as "productivity theater," taskmasking involves creating the appearance of busyness while actually being checked out or attending to personal matters. This could mean staying logged into Slack and occasionally replying, or, in an in-person setting, moving quickly through the office while carrying a laptop or clipboard. *The Guardian* refers to this as "live action role-playing" or "larping" your job.
**Toxic productivity**
This term describes an obsession with constant work and the accompanying paranoia that one is never doing enough, even during nights and weekends. It is frequently used by Gen Z to critique the work habits of older generations who prioritize career advancement above all else. As *Trill Mag* explains, while working hard is positive, pursuing it in ways that sacrifice well-being and mental health is not.