Simons@Simon_Ingari
Manager: I have you scheduled for a meeting at 7 PM tomorrow.
Gen Z: Is my attendance mandatory?
Manager: Yes, we’re working with a client in another time zone.
Gen Z: Okay, I’m happy to shift my hours to accommodate.
Manager: Excuse me, no—you still start at 8 AM.
Gen Z: If I’m working in the evening, then I’ll start later in the day.
Manager: Okay, don’t watch the clock at this company. We work when we need to work.
Gen Z: I’m contracted and paid for 40 hours a week, so that is what I work.
Manager: That’s a career-limiting move. Tomorrow is a busy day; I’ll need you to start right promptly at 8:00 AM.
Gen Z: Alright then, I will take the lieu time later this week.
Manager: Again, that’s not how we operate at this company. You work hard when you need to, and you don’t watch the clock.
Gen Z: Again, I work for the hours I’m paid for, and since overtime is not an option, I’ll go ahead and adjust my hours this week to accommodate the shift in the schedule.
Manager: You’re not quite understanding the company culture we have here—we work all the time.
Gen Z: And you’re not understanding that just because that is the way you do things does not mean that is how I’m required to do things as well.
Manager: (Silence)
