The economy may be contracting and the labor shortage may be easing off, but that doesn’t mean employees are any happier. Generation Z, in particular, is on a tear. Here are two HR trends from the past year, showing how trigger-happy and low-tolerance this category of employee is in their current jobs. Employers beware!
1. “Career cushioning” or the Plan B theory
The discussion was launched on Forbes website last December. Faced with a looming recession, columnist Tracy Brower wondered if it wasn’t time for workers to get their act together. To provide a “career cushion” in case companies went into layoff mode. Hence the name, “career cushioning”.
When you think about taking proactive steps in your career, you want to consider development and security – which can come from both inside and outside the company. If you get fired, you want to be able to count on a solid contingency plan outside your current employer. But if your job is in jeopardy, you can also try to secure another position internally, which could also be a big step forward. We shouldn’t assume that security can only come from outside the organization.”
At the same time, there is a strong temptation to seek salvation outside an organization. Earlier in June, a survey published by Robert Walters showed that 37% of workers had taken steps to find a new job. Of these, 66% are keeping an eye on job offers, 43% have updated their CVs and 33% are applying for jobs.
2. “Rage applying” or the furious burst application
The second trend should be taken with a grain of salt. Like everything from TikTok. It was Forbes, once again, that set the ball rolling, broaching the subject last January.
Feeling overlooked, unappreciated, passed over for a promotion and unfairly compensated for one’s services has inspired a new career trend on TikTok, we learn from Jack Kelly, employment consultant and contributor to Forbes. The furious burst application for a job is being touted on social media as a great way to get back at your boss by aggressively distributing resumes to multiple companies in hopes of landing a new job and the quick pay raise that comes with it.”
Here’s the perfect example:
@redweez Keep rage applying when youre mad 🫶🏼 that energy will push you to greater horizons than the job youre stuck in! #work #milennial #worklife ♬ The Sign – Ace of Base
If you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize that there’s an element of artifice in this TikTok trend. A lot of humorous videos featuring a character committing an application in a flurry (see here, here and here) for a few authentic testimonials from people furiously posting CVs after accumulating frustrations in their current position. What’s more, Jack Kelly reminds us:
It’s not an effective strategy to make a decision on the spur of the moment – when you’re angry. The adrenalin is pumping and we’re not thinking clearly. You can end up taking a job you’ll regret later, because you didn’t take the time to establish a structured game plan for building a career and making thoughtful decisions.”
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