Professional minimalism,' or why Gen Z prefers free time to a promotion at work

"Karla Guzman, 27, has changed jobs three times in the last year. A medical student, she quit her two previous posts after denouncing labor exploitation: endless shifts that left her with no energy or mental space to prepare for her residency exam. Today, she works from home at a medical call center, with more stable hours. The night shifts, 12 hours or more, were exhausting. I would get home, sleep, wake up tired, and go back to the hospital. I couldn't take it anymore, she recounts."

"Guzman represents that silent army of young people who see work as a means, not a destination. The phenomenon has been dubbed professional minimalism by publications such as Fortune and Forbes. It's a new work philosophy in which Generation Z prioritizes a clear contract: fulfilling agreements, leaving on time, preserving personal life, and if possible making room for a side hustle, that is, satellite jobs that provide extra income, making them more lucrative and fulfilling."

"For this generation, success is no longer measured by corporate ladders climbed, but by stability, free time, and financial security an inverted pyramid of priorities compared to previous generations. A recent Glassdoor survey suggests that 68% of employees aged under 29 wouldn't seek a management position if it weren't for the salary or title. Leading isn't the goal when real ambition lies beyond the office, they state on their corporate blog."

Young workers increasingly treat employment as a means rather than a destination, moving frequently to find jobs that fit personal needs and schedules. Generation Z emphasizes clear contracts, leaving on time, preserving personal life, and avoiding overtime in favor of stability, free time, and financial security. Many choose horizontal advancement, jumping between roles strategically—the so-called lily pad model—and pursue side hustles for extra income and fulfillment. Exhausting long shifts and labor exploitation drive some to leave demanding posts for positions with predictable hours. A Glassdoor survey finds 68% of employees under 29 would not pursue management absent salary or title incentives.

Read at english.elpais.com