Why Gen Z workers tend to leave their jobs quickly

The 22-year-old from Hanoi tells VnExpress that this was her second resignation in a month. The only Gen Z member in her 15-strong public relations team said she felt isolated at her latest job due to her colleagues' silence and strict work environment.

"Every time you talk for more than five minutes, you get fined VND100,000 (US$4.00). So I wanted a more comfortable place."

Her previous job also had strict rules like mandatory uniforms and constant engagement on the company’s social media site, which she feels impeded her professional growth.

Minh Thu resigns from her new job after learning about strict rules against eating, drinking, and personal conversations in the workplace. Photo courtesy of Thu

Thao Phuong, a marketing employee at an education company, quit after being penalized for missing a company trip that she had not even been aware of.

She had also found the work culture challenging due to generational differences and felt resentful about mandatory social activities.

"I believe that doing my job well should be enough; participation should be a personal choice. I chose to leave to find a place where I could contribute freely," the 24-year-old Hanoian says.

Gen Z, or people born between 1997 and 2012, often express dissatisfaction with workplace culture on social media.

In a Vietnamese company review group with over 400,000 members, a Gen Z member’s posts about strict rules, including no feet on chairs, no body odor, no arguing with the boss, and penalties for not engaging with company social media, garnered thousands of likes and supportive comments.

In a group called the Gen Z Universe, which has over one million members, hundreds of posts discussed the challenges in adapting to other generations and a willingness to leave if personal expectations are unmet.

A 2023 survey of over 1,300 business leaders by global recruitment firm Resume Builder revealed that nearly 75% of managers find Gen Z challenging to work with, with 49% reporting regular frustration and 65% admitting to dismissing them more frequently than employees of other generations.

The dismissals included 12% within a week and 27% within a month.

Gen Z have brought about many new workplace trends, especially movements against work conditions.

Khanh Vy, 35, of HCMC, who has spent six years in HR and overseen over 20 Gen Z employees, notes that they work best when inspired, but could disengage quickly if their morale drops.

When engaged, they are willing to work tirelessly to meet deadlines and often find satisfaction in doing so without complaints, she says.

She suggests offering flexible working hours, encouraging creativity and recognising their efforts to retain them.

"Instead of being a boss, a manager could be a friend who listens, shares helps them prove their worth, and truly trusts them with tasks."

Assoc Prof Dr Tran Thanh Nam, vice principal of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, describes Gen Z as highly creative but with high expectations.

They prioritize a good income, work-life balance and a supportive company culture.

They also care about the company’s reputation, current and future income and benefits, support for skill development, a guiding rather than supervisory relationship with leaders, and initiatives to enhance quality of life and mental health.

"Due to these high expectations, many Gen Z employees quickly resign or become disheartened if the company fails to meet their personal desires and expectations."

Managers should clarify job expectations, organize bonding activities and support employees’ mental health to retain Gen Z staff, he says.

As for Gen Z themselves, they should develop self-discipline and understand others’ perspectives to build a sustainable career, he adds.

Tuan Minh, 25, of Hanoi, who has been three years’ experience as a public relations officer, says a supportive boss and a positive work culture where people across generations collaborate make him want to stay with the company.

He had previously resigned due to poor management and unreasonable rules but now values the competent and respectful workplace.