Employee Gets Surprising Reply From Boss After Requesting To Log Off Before Closing Hour

Gen Z employees are pioneering a new type of work ethics

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• September 30, 2024

It turns out that not everything goes as planned when you text your superior that you want to get an early log-off. Although workers belonging to the millennial and Gen Z generations are creating a new work ethic, it doesn't necessarily align with the beliefs and expectations of individuals who have been in the workforce for thirty years or more.

However, when one staff member requested to leave work early, the employer responded in a quite unexpected way. HiveHQ is the name of the public relations company that Jessica Marshall owns and operates in Sydney, Australia.

The 35-year-old is surrounded by six 'Gen Z' employees who work alongside her. For those of you who are unable to keep up with the most recent nicknames of each generation, you should know that the names are becoming increasingly confusing every time.

Gen Z is made up of individuals who were born between 1997 and 2012, making them between the ages of 12 and 27 at the moment. Marshall disclosed that one day, a member of her Gen Z staff texted her to request an early "log off."

Why? One might ask because you only ask for a log-off when you're not feeling fine, having an emergency, or having a doctor's appointment. But for this employee, they had simply completed their tasks for the day.

Coming to meet your boss to be allowed to get off work

"Hi Jessy. I am up to date with my work … anyway, can I log off? Mwah xx."

In case you're wondering, the above text is what this Gen Z employee sent to the boss and it doesn't end there. Hold on as you're about to be surprised by the response the employer gave.

Although most of us wouldn't dare text our employer, much less request to log off early simply because we're "up to date," Marshall gave the employee a favorable response. She texted back saying "Yes, log off."

The boss is actually okay with the text

News.com.au was informed by Marshall that while she maintains "firm boundaries" with her staff, she also wants them to be honest and prevent burnout. Marshall also feels that Gen Z is "much better at saying they feel pushed or exhausted or they don't feel like themselves and need to take time out."

"They are good at setting boundaries, but they are also very good at making sure they work in their allocated time," she added. Marshall says that on Fridays, her workers are allowed to 'log off' once they complete their work.

Who knew it could be this easy?

Marshall resolved saying: "Where we can we log off early, particularly on Fridays, so they can give themselves an extra-long weekend. They are really proud of what they are doing and I’m giving them time to rejuvenate."

"If an urgent email came through, they’d still reply because they’d know it was important, but can it wait? Then it can wait until Monday."

Who knew it could be so easy to log off early? You should know that not all managers are as laidback as Marshall, so don't try it yourself unless you fancy being called into a meeting and handed a warning.

Maryjane