"I'll Just Quit First"... Generation Z in Australia Leaves Jobs Unplanned for 'Revenge' [The World is Z]

Generation Z Choosing 'Unplanned Resignation'
"Better to Quit Than Stay Unhappy at Work"
Trend of 'Revenge Quitting' Also on the Rise
Experts Warn: "Could Lead to Long-Term Unemployment"

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is gaining attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [The World is Z], we shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z around the globe and examine how they are transforming society.

Among Generation Z in Australia, the trend of "unplanned resignation," where people quit their jobs before even finding a new one, is becoming increasingly clear. Getty Images

The trend of "unplanned resignation," where people quit their jobs before even finding a new one, is becoming increasingly clear among Generation Z in Australia. Young people are prioritizing mental health and work-life balance, choosing to leave their jobs boldly. However, experts point out that, as the employment market in Australia is expected to remain sluggish for some time, careful consideration is necessary.

"Mental health worsened by work... ultimately led to resignation"

Recently, the U.S. business media outlet Yahoo Finance reported, "Australians are quitting their jobs without alternatives, and experts are expressing concern over this trend of 'unplanned resignation.'"

According to the report, Teresa Tran (25), who lives in Sydney, resigned from her marketing job after just three months due to mental stress. She shared, "I was constantly under stress and unable to rest even on weekends," adding, "My deteriorating mental health made it difficult for me to function socially." Tran ultimately chose to resign for her own well-being, and fortunately, she found a new marketing job a few months later. She said, "Now, I am satisfied because I can focus on my personal life and side projects after work."

Another anonymous worker also decided to quit after just two weeks on the job. Living alone in Sydney and having to pay high rent, this worker resigned because the mental burden was too great to bear. "Work should just be work," the worker said. "If your job follows you home and you feel afraid to go to work every day, that's a serious problem." The worker added, "Quitting a job without any preparation is never a decision to be taken lightly."

'Revenge quitting' trend also on the rise

The term "revenge quitting" is widely discussed among young people in Australia. It refers to the act of emotionally deciding to quit a job as a form of retaliation against negative experiences or dissatisfaction at the workplace. Getty Images

This trend is also connected to the growing popularity of the term "revenge quitting" among young people in Australia. It refers to the act of emotionally deciding to quit a job as a form of retaliation against negative experiences or dissatisfaction at the workplace. In particular, destructive behaviors such as posting negative comments about the company online, deleting important files, or changing account passwords often accompany the resignation process, becoming a social issue. In fact, searching '#revengequitting' on TikTok reveals numerous videos of Generation Z openly expressing their feelings at the time of quitting.

Recruitment expert Roxanne Calder said, "'Revenge quitting' is no longer a new phenomenon," adding, "'Revenge quitting' is spreading across Australia and is expected to increase further this year."

"Quitting without preparation could lead to long-term unemployment"

This movement is also linked to the values of young people who prioritize personal happiness over work. According to a survey by global workforce management company Randstad, which polled 35,000 workers in 34 countries, both Generation Z and Millennials (those born from 1988 to 1997) cited happiness as a more important value than work.

40% of Generation Z and 38% of Millennials responded that "being unemployed is better than being unhappy at work." This is higher than the 25% response rate among Baby Boomers (those born from 1955 to 1967). When asked, "Would you quit your job if work reduced your overall life satisfaction?" 56% of Generation Z and 55% of Millennials agreed, compared to only 38% of Baby Boomers, highlighting clear generational differences in attitudes toward work.

However, experts warn that quitting impulsively can be a risky decision. Recruitment expert Tammy Christofis Vallis said, "The Australian job market is very challenging this year." She added, "The situation may improve somewhat after the election, when policy uncertainties are resolved, or at the end of the fiscal year when companies readjust their budgets, but for now, uncertainty remains high."

Australia's unemployment rate in March was 4.1%, falling short of market expectations. Photo unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB

She went on to point out, "If you resign without any preparation, it can be difficult to find a new job quickly, and you may end up in long-term unemployment." She added, "Unplanned resignation can actually lead to a situation even more serious than burnout (a state of extreme physical and mental exhaustion)."

Meanwhile, Australia's employment market is struggling to recover due to the economic downturn. As the recession has worsened corporate profitability, many companies have taken steps to cut costs, frequently suspending new hiring or reducing their existing workforce. As a result, job seekers are now facing fierce competition for a limited number of positions. In fact, Australia's labor force participation rate in March was stagnant at 66.8%, and companies continue to maintain a conservative approach to workforce management.