Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Completely Different Ideas Of How To Quit A Job
Mikhail Nilov | Pexels Some of the most basic steps of quitting a job have stayed the same over the years because they're the best way for a worker to make sure they can get hired again.
But every generation has their own general idea of how they should go about quitting. As workplace expectations have changed, so have people's attitudes about leaving a role they know isn't right for them.
Each generation has different ideas when it comes to quitting a job
Boomers are loyal and professional, so they don't leave employers in the lurch
Baby boomers are often described as having a work ethic that borders on workaholism. They've always believed that putting in more work is the way to get ahead, instead of getting caught up in office politics.
Younger generations aren't unprofessional by comparison, but boomers adhere to a more traditional idea of professionalism. They're more likely to follow unspoken rules when they quit.
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Another thing boomers value at work is loyalty. They stay with the same company for years like it's their family, and they're usually rewarded for doing so because of the pensions they receive. This makes them take quitting a job very seriously.
They don't want to inconvenience their employers, so they're big believers in giving plenty of notice before leaving, and doing whatever it takes to make the transition as smooth as possible. Even when they quit, they try to stay on good terms with everyone and keep it drama-free.
Gen X quits when their values don't match, but never without forming a back-up plan first
Work-life balance is the thing most Gen Xers want the most from their jobs, along with the ability to do good work without being constantly micromanaged. They're loyal, but not quite as much as boomers.
If Gen X feels like their job doesn't align with their values and the lifestyle they want to build, they aren't afraid to leave and look for something better. They keep it professional and don't make a fuss about it, though. In fact, they tend to quit respectfully and quietly.
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Many members of Gen X have found themselves in a bad position in the current job market, which means quitting is also something they think about really carefully. They never make the choice to quit impulsively because they know they might not find anything better.
Millennials are more open to the idea of quitting and don't think it needs to be so formal
Millennials' attitudes about work seem to be full of contradictions. While most of them think they have a strong work ethic, their older co-workers tend to disagree.
And although they're often considered job-hoppers, there's evidence that suggests that's actually not true.
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Millennials have reported pretty low job satisfaction since they can't advance the way they want to, which is probably one of the biggest reasons a lot of them quit their jobs shortly after the pandemic. They weren't happy, so they saw it as a chance to try something new.
This generation isn't constantly quitting their jobs, but they do seem more open to the idea than older generations.
If their work is hurting their well-being, they aren't going to stick around. It would be wrong to call them irresponsible, but they might be a bit more impulsive.
Gen Z might quit more frequently, but they think they have a good reason for doing so
The youngest generation in the workforce is regularly accused of having no work ethic at all, but they're insisting they're just facing much harder conditions than older generations. Most of them genuinely want to find good jobs, even though the market is difficult.
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Still, a lot of Gen Zers who have jobs have said they want to quit. It's not because they're lazy, but because they don't feel like they can grow in their careers if they stay in their current roles.
The numbers make it look like Gen Z quits without giving it much thought, but they're actually keeping an eye on the bigger picture. They know companies don't look out for their employees like they used to, so they put themselves first when they decide if they should quit, too.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor's degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
