Every week there's a new thinkpiece about how Gen Z is "destroying workplace culture" with their wild demands like "boundaries" and "fair compensation." The horror.

Let's examine these supposedly outrageous Gen Z workplace myths and discover that they're actually just... reasonable expectations that previous generations were too beaten down to ask for.

"Myth" #1: Gen Z Expects Work-Life Balance

The Complaint: "These kids want to actually leave at 5 PM! They won't check emails on weekends! They think 'work-life balance' is a real thing!"

The Reality: Yes. They don't want to sacrifice their entire lives to a company that'll lay them off without hesitation. What entitled monsters.

Previous generations worked themselves into early graves and called it dedication. Gen Z watched their parents get downsized after 30 years of loyalty and said "no thanks." Smart, actually.

"Myth" #2: They Want to Be Paid What They're Worth

The Complaint: "Gen Z asks about salary in the first interview! They won't work for 'exposure'! They think they deserve market-rate compensation!"

The Reality: Wild that previous generations just... accepted being underpaid and pretended it was noble. "I'm not in it for the money" is what people say when they're definitely not being paid enough.

Gen Z has $800k in student debt and rent that costs more than a small car payment. They can't afford to work for company culture and pizza parties. That's not entitled—that's math.

"Myth" #3: They Expect Transparency and Honesty

The Complaint: "They want to know WHY we make decisions! They question authority! They don't just do what they're told!"

The Reality: "Because I said so" stopped working in kindergarten. It doesn't magically become a good management strategy for adults. Gen Z wants context for decisions because it helps them do better work.

Also, they grew up with infinite information at their fingertips. They know when you're being vague to avoid admitting you don't have a good reason. Just be honest. It's not that hard.

"Myth" #4: They Won't Tolerate Toxic Workplace Culture

The Complaint: "Gen Z is so sensitive! They complain about 'toxic' work environments! They want psychological safety!"

The Reality: "Not wanting to be screamed at by your boss" isn't sensitivity. It's baseline human dignity. Gen Z just refuses to pretend abusive behavior is normal.

Previous generations accepted toxic workplaces because they thought they had to. Gen Z watched burnout destroy their parents' mental health and decided there's got to be a better way. Turns out, there is.

"Myth" #5: They Job-Hop for Better Opportunities

The Complaint: "Gen Z has no loyalty! They leave jobs after 18 months! In MY day, people stayed at one company for 40 years!"

The Reality: In YOUR day, companies offered pensions, annual raises, and job security. Now they offer pizza parties and "we're a family" while planning layoffs.

The data is clear: the fastest way to get a significant raise is to change jobs. If companies want loyalty, maybe offer loyalty in return? Revolutionary concept.

"Myth" #6: They Want Flexibility and Remote Options

The Complaint: "They don't want to come into the office! They think they can work from anywhere! They're destroying company culture!"

The Reality: They can be equally productive from home while saving 2 hours of commute time and money on gas. The horror of... efficiency?

Also, Gen Z spent their formative years in a pandemic where remote work/school was mandatory. They know it works. Your insistence that butts-in-seats equals productivity is outdated.

"Myth" #7: They Expect Diversity and Inclusion to Be Real

The Complaint: "Gen Z cares too much about DEI! They want actual diversity, not just diverse marketing photos!"

The Reality: Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history. They're not interested in your performative inclusion theater. They want actual inclusive practices and equal treatment.

Wanting your workplace to reflect reality isn't radical. It's expecting the bare minimum of not being discriminated against.

The Pattern

Notice the pattern? Every "entitled Gen Z demand" is actually a reasonable human expectation. They're just the first generation brave enough to say the quiet part loud.

Previous generations:

• Were underpaid → didn't complain
• Worked unpaid overtime → called it "dedication"
• Tolerated toxic bosses → said "that's just how it is"
• Sacrificed health for work → wore it as a badge of honor

Gen Z looks at all that and goes "why, though?"

And everyone older loses their minds because how DARE young people want something better than what we suffered through?

The Real Story

Here's what's actually happening: Gen Z has different priorities because they grew up in different circumstances. They saw the 2008 recession, watched their parents get laid off, graduated into a pandemic, and are facing housing costs that make home ownership nearly impossible.

So yeah, they're not interested in grinding themselves into dust for a company that'll replace them the moment it's convenient. They want fair pay, reasonable hours, and basic human respect.

Call it entitled if you want. I call it having standards.

And before anyone says "well if Gen Z doesn't like it, they don't have to work here"—cool, they won't. And then you'll write another thinkpiece about how "nobody wants to work anymore."

Turns out people DO want to work. They just don't want to work in your outdated, toxic, underpaid workplace.

Figure it out.