Gen Z Are Quitting Their Jobs Out of Unhappiness—Here’s My Story

It doesn’t pay to be unhappy.

You might have heard horror stories from your parents about a creepy boss at their old workplace, or a backstabber who got someone fired.

Your parents may have put up with it, but a new survey reveals our generation will not.

The survey by Randstad, published on Business Insider, found that 56 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials would leave their jobs if it “got in the way of their personal lives”, or wouldn’t accept it in the first place if they had “issues with the company’s social or environmental politics”.

This seems to be the case as we share our experiences online, learn how to recognise toxic work environments, and decide what kind of work-life balance we value as individuals.

I quit my part-time job without any back-up plan. I was simply unhappy, and that alone drove me to my decision.

I was a conscientious worker who put all my energy into my job. Yet, customers hurled verbal abuse at me, my manager yelled at me, I was overworked and shamed if I didn’t take every shift asked of me, I was falsely blamed for things, and was absolutely overwhelmed being put in charge of the busiest shift of the week, every week, with minimal staff to help me.

For the longest time I endured the stress, burn-out and emotional toll of the job, thinking it was ‘normal’ or something I just had to ‘put up with’ while I completed my uni degree. Besides, securing part-time jobs can be unbelievably difficult, so I reasoned it was a good thing I even had one.

But even my family and friends began to notice how drained I was, especially when I was coming home from shifts in tears.

The day I handed in my resignation letter, my managers were shocked because I had never argued with them or stood up for myself before. They were puzzled as to why I’d made my decision…but for me, it was painfully obvious.

Spend any time on TikTok and you’ll probably come across other young people, like myself, quitting their jobs after being treated unfairly.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, don’t listen to the “suck it up” advice that often comes from older generations. Gen Z are willing to work hard—but we know when we’re being exploited, abused and disrespected. And we won’t stand for it.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. 

You can also text 0477 131 114 or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au with all services now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.