Millennials and Gen Z Want Us to Rethink Our Relationship with Work

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 2 September 2021

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

A former factory worker in China, 31-year-old Luo Huazhong, made global headlines in April when he chose to “lie flat” and opt for working odd jobs and an overall slower lifestyle than is culturally accepted. It’s a feeling that has resonated with many in the U.S., particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are leading what’s been termed “The Great Resignation.” It’s a phenomenon that’s taken hold during this period of high employee turnover, as workers feel more confident in the economy and in making career changes that better meet their needs. Writers Cassady Rosenblum and LZ Granderson each reflect on this growing shift in Americans’ relationship with work in recent essays, and they join us to discuss today’s culture of work in the U.S. and consider the possibility of one that’s less about “grinding” and more friendly to “lying flat.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:58.7	From KQED.
1:00.3	From KQED.
1:16.7	From KQED Public Radio in San Francisco, I'm Ariana Prail in Fermina Kim.
1:22.0	A former factory worker in China made global headlines in April when he chose to lie flat and opt for a slower lifestyle than is culturally accepted.
1:25.2	It's a feeling that has resonated with many in the U.S.,
1:27.8	in particular with millennials and Gen Z, who are leading what's been termed the Great
1:31.8	Resignation, where workers feel more confident in making career changes that better meet their
1:36.0	needs. Writers Cassidy Rosenblum and Elsie Granderson each reflect on this growing shift in our
1:41.0	relationship with work in recent essays, and they'll join us to discuss today's culture of work in the U.S. And later, we'll check in on U.S. Open
1:48.2	Tennis, which is underway in New York, and implementing a first-ever mental health initiative
1:52.6	to support players. That's all next. After this news.
2:00.8	This is Forum. I'm Ariana Prail in Fermina Kim. When 31-year-old Luo Huujuang quit his factory job in April and posted a picture of himself lying on his bed with the message, lying flat is justice. He made global headlines. Instead of being consumed by the constant work hustle,
2:19.1	he was opting to work odd jobs and assume an overall slower lifestyle than is culturally accepted.
2:24.6	It's a feeling that resonates with many in the U.S. as well, particularly with millennials and Gen Z.
	...

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