A growing number of Gen Z employees are challenging the old rules of the office. In fact, one in three have yelled at their boss, reflecting a generation that values authenticity and emotional honesty over traditional notions of professionalism, reveals a new survey.
For decades, “professionalism” has been the unspoken rule of the workplace, a code of restraint, politeness and emotional self-control. But a growing number of Gen Z workers are quietly – and sometimes loudly – rejecting it.
A new survey from ResumeTemplates.com of 1,200 full-time Gen Z employees (aged 18 to 28) finds that one in three admit to yelling at their boss, while nearly half regularly speak negatively about their manager to colleagues. Two-thirds say the older generation’s expectations of professionalism are simply “too much”.
This is a generation that prizes authenticity and emotional honesty over the stiff-upper-lip style of corporate life. Nearly half (45%) have cried in front of or to their manager – often because of burnout or personal struggles – and many see that as healthy transparency rather than weakness.
“Gen Z is one of the most emotionally aware generations, and they’re not afraid to show it,” says Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com. “They’ve seen people lose their jobs despite being model employees, so silence no longer feels like protection.”
RISE OF EMOTIONAL CANDOUR AT WORK
In an era of layoffs, algorithmic oversight and the blurring of work-life boundaries, Gen Z’s openness can read as both defiance and self-preservation. Their willingness to express frustration – even if it means raising their voice – speaks to a workplace culture increasingly shaped by emotional authenticity, not etiquette.
For some, that can look like progress: a move away from the performance of professionalism towards something more human. But the survey also reveals potential pitfalls. Half of respondents gossip about their boss, and one in ten have taken complaints online. A small but notable 7% even admitted to flirting with a manager.
“Openness can build connection, but it can also backfire,” warns Toothacre. “There’s a fine line between healthy honesty and behaviour that undermines your credibility.”
CHALLENGES FOR MANAGEMENT
For managers accustomed to hierarchy and deference, this shift poses new challenges. The old rules – never raise your voice, always remain composed – are losing traction. Leaders now face the task of balancing psychological safety with accountability, recognising that younger staff may view blunt honesty as a form of respect rather than rebellion.
While 45% of Gen Z respondents still value professionalism, a majority believe it should evolve to include personality and individuality. The challenge for employers, says Toothacre, is not to demand emotional restraint, but to help young workers channel it constructively.
“Gen Z doesn’t need to suppress who they are,” she says. “But learning when to be candid, and when to hold back, is what builds long-term credibility.”
As Gen Z reshapes the emotional landscape of the office, one thing is clear: the future of work may be less about polished etiquette — and more about the messy, human reality of showing up as yourself.
RELATED ARTICLES
A new survey reveals that Gen Z employees are not only embracing AI more than their older peers, but they’re actively teaching themselves how to use it.
Generation Z employees ‘unimpressed’ with current workplace inclusion efforts, according to study.
Environmental and climate concerns play an important role in Gen Zs’ and millennials’ career decisions, revealed a new study.
Eight out of 10 Gen Zers are reluctant to join companies that have recently withdrawn support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Half of the world’s employers believe that Generation Z is the ‘least engaged’ at work, according to new research.
Sign up for our newsletter
