Generation Z are embracing the ‘job hopping’ trend

Generation Z love work trends and there’s a new one predicted to take over in January 2024... but it might come back to ‘bite them’.

The growing trend of job hopping could see Generation Z heading for exits and leaving their jobs en masse in January.

Generation Z does have a unique approach to work, to the point where they even make fun of themselves.

On TikTok, plenty of young people are creating videos that joke about how a Gen Zer would quit, but it reveals a broader truth that it is the norm in that generation to job hop.

Jokes aside, does this signal that the biggest trend of 2024 will be Gen Z quitting?

Well, maybe.

New data from Employment Hero has found that Aussie workers often choose to leave only six months into a new gig, costing businesses money that they have invested in them.

Ben Neumann, managing director at Liquid Infusion, explained that Generation Z are leaving jobs in droves because they have a grass is always greener mentality when it comes to work.

He explained that the youngest working generation sees it as a “rite of passage” to job hop rather than just feeling happy to have scored employment.

Young Aussies like to job hop. Picture: iStock

He warned that their mentality to constantly want to upgrade in their careers can lead to regret.

Mr Neumann claimed that young people will see a “perk” on a job listing, which would be enough to “drive” them into leaving their current gig.

He warned that this kind of fairweather approach to employment could end up hurting their careers in the long term.

“It will come back to bite them, in fact, just last week, I’ve recently got some messages from some Gen Zers seeing if there’s any availability to do work for us again,” he said.

Gen Z love to talk about quitting. Picture: TikTok/ grantegibbs

They make jokes about it on TikTok. Picture: TikTok/ theprincessames

Mr Neumann claimed that they often get lured out of jobs by being offered perks in other careers that don’t end up coming to fruition and then regret leaving their original job.

“I’ve had young people work for us, leave after taking offers and then becoming disillusioned and wanting to come back,” he claimed.

The managing director said that while changing jobs might seem exciting, ultimately, you’ll have to start fresh, and that isn’t always easy.

“Essentially, you’ve taken a step back. You’re the new guy and you got to prove yourself, to be able to climb up the ladder,” he argued.

Mr Neumann said that, as a boss, it is frustrating to invest in young employees only to have them leave on a whim.

“There’s one person we trained up for six months, and they left to work for a competitor and took all their knowledge to them,” he complained.

Ben shares his views on Gen Z. Picture: Supplied

Young people aren’t as loyal to their jobs. Picture: iStock

Plus, he has found it increasingly hard to understand their version of work ethic; the Aussie boss said that he recently had a Gen Zer unable to come into the office because it was too hot.

“It was too hot. We are in an airconditioned office that is climate-controlled, but they said they were allergic to the heat,” he vented.

Thankfully, Mr Neumann admitted that he did find that excuse “very funny”, and it was almost worth hearing for the laugh.

David Wurth, an HR expert for corporate Australia, believes that in January, plenty of young Aussies will be leaving their jobs.

“It tends towards happening at the end of the year and beginning of New Year; it’s time for a reflection,” he argued.

Mr Wurth said he has noticed that young people are quicker to quit their jobs, and he puts it down to “unfounded confidence.”

“Which is kind of nice because they are young and filled with optimism that they’ll find the right job,” he explained.

Mr Wurth said that older generations used just to be grateful to have a job but Generation Zers have a different outlook.

“They won’t be as tolerant to stay as people used to be,” he said.

Mr Wurth said that even though Generation Z can be difficult to understand, employers must focus on trying to retain them because losing them comes at a cost.

“The cost to replace people is horrendous,” he shared.

Originally published as Generation Z are embracing the ‘job hopping’ trend