The decision to quit a job that no longer serves you can be an especially scary choice with a myriad of factors to consider.
But in a TikTok video, a content creator is called Samantha Shea explained that after quitting her job, she noticed that the reactions she got were conflicting depending on the age of the person she was talking to.
She explained the different reactions from both Baby Boomers and Gen-Zers after quitting her job
In Shea’s video, she admitted that after recently quitting her job, when she brings up the fact that she’s no longer employed with Boomers versus Gen-Zers, their reactions are always markedly different.
“The difference between generations is that every time I tell someone over 40 that I left my job, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, what are you going to do? You don’t have a job lined up. Aren’t you nervous? Don’t you have to pay rent?'” Shea said.
But when she says the same thing to anyone in their 20s or early 30s, the responses aren’t nearly as concerned compared to the older generations. Instead, Gen-Zers and even Millennials are often congratulatory and happy for Shea that she is no longer working at a place that no longer met her needs.
“When I tell someone who’s in their 20s or early 30s, they say, ‘Congratulations. Let’s celebrate it. You’re the best, you’re the bomb, you’re an icon.” So I just love that,” Shea continued.
In the comments, she explained that despite quitting her job, she has money in her savings account and may have other income streams to support herself while she looks for other work.
Despite the light-hearted observation of how different generations are when it comes to having jobs and staying employed, it raises the conversation that Gen-Zers are not afraid to jump around to different jobs if the last one does not meet their standards.
The majority of workers who have left their jobs recently have been Gen-Zers
According to a report conducted by LinkedInmore than half of American workers — 61% — have considered leaving their jobs by 2023. A higher percentage of Gen-Z (defined by LinkedIn as ages 18-25) and Millennials (ages 26-41) plan to call it quits than any other generation.
Of an estimated 2,000 working-class American adults surveyed, 72% of Gen-Zers and 66% of Millennials said they are considering a career change in the next 12 months, compared to just 55% of Gen-Xers (ages 42-57) and 30% of Baby Boomers (ages 58-76).
On top of that, per a study by a management consulting firm called Oliver WymanGen-Zers don’t share the same hang-ups about being labeled “job hoppers” as older generations do. In fact, 70% of Gen-Zere who say they are “loyal” to their employers are either actively or passively looking for a new job.
According to Oliver Wyman’s study, Gen-Zers have a wide range of demands from a job to stay, including benefits such as comprehensive health coverage and mental health support, as well as company transparency. Compared to previous generations – such as poll that found 40% of baby boomers have stayed with their employer for more than 20 years — Gen-Z isn’t afraid to jump ship, even if they don’t have a backup plan.
However, there seem to be some downsides to Gen-Z switching careers with the flick of a wrist. According to a Paychex survey of 825 workers, nearly 90% of Gen-Zere who left their jobs during the Great Resignation regret quitting and as a result their mental health is declining.
No matter what generation you’re in, it’s important to consider all factors when deciding to change careers or quit a job
There’s nothing wrong with demanding more from an employer and leaving if those needs aren’t met, especially in a society where the prices of necessities are steadily rising, the housing market is quickly becoming unaffordable, and many people are no longer earning a livable wage.
While it’s impossible to follow the mantra of choosing to do what you love and never having to work a day in your life, you shouldn’t settle for the bare minimum either. As long as you carefully weigh the pros and cons of any career move, nothing should stop you from putting your own mental and physical well-being above the gears in a capitalist world.
Nia Tipton is a Chicago-based entertainment, news and lifestyle writer whose work delves into today’s issues and experiences.
