Gen Z workers earn lower salaries while working longer hours, says a viral TikToker

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Brielle Asero never anticipated that her video discussing work-life balance would make such a viral impact. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she reveals the surprising backlash she encountered after sparking a conversation about the demanding work hours imposed by companies.

Asero, a fresh college graduate, set off a fervent debate when she posted a heartfelt TikTok video lamenting her 9-to-5 job.

Through tears, she expressed how this schedule left her with minimal time for anything else. Her video also shed light on the exhausting daily commute from her New Jersey residence to her Manhattan office, a predicament many young professionals can empathise with.

«At 7:30 am, I board the train, and not until 6:15 pm at the earliest do I return home.

I barely have time for anything,» she tearfully narrated. Asero candidly explained that her job offered no room for essential activities like cooking, cleaning, exercising, or even spending time with friends.


Nevertheless, her video faced criticism from individuals who saw it as a reflection of Generation Z's alleged laziness and lack of work ethic.

The situation escalated as various news outlets picked up the story, portraying recent graduates as entitled and indolent.

Expressing her astonishment at the reactions, the Gen Z TikToker told Rolling Stone, «Different news stations picked up my video and painted post-grads as entitled and lazy, which is far from the case.» She emphasised that her original intention was merely to initiate a conversation and show respect for those working even longer hours.

For Asero, securing a job she enjoys is a stroke of luck, given that her job search took five months post-graduation. The burden of her student debt only heightened her sense