"I Want to Work Hard for Just 6 Hours and Go Home"... Economic Pressure Drives a 'Smarter Way' [The World is Z]

A New Work Trend: "Micro Shift"
Short Work Hours of Less Than Six Hours
Reflecting the Priorities of Workers Who Value Work-Life Balance

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, examining how they are transforming society.

A new work style called 'micro shift' is spreading, especially among Generation Z in the United States. This term refers to a short and flexible work format of less than six hours a day, reflecting the demands of young workers who prioritize work-life balance. It is being evaluated as a new work model that benefits both sides: workers can use their time more flexibly, while companies can operate their workforce more efficiently.

"'Micro shift,' a smarter way to work"

Recently, Forbes, a leading U.S. business magazine, selected 'micro shift' as a key work trend to watch this year. Forbes noted that "micro retirement (taking short breaks through resignation or leave) and other work formats and cycles are becoming more granular and frequent," and reported that "within this trend, various workers are actively utilizing micro shifts to juggle caregiving, studying, side jobs, and more."

The 'micro shift' concept began to attract attention after appearing in the global HR platform Deputy's report, "The Big Shift: U.S. 2025." Because it allows people to break up their work time according to their individual situations, it is emerging as a new alternative to traditional rigid work systems. It has received a particularly strong response from Generation Z, whose values align with an emphasis on work-life balance. According to the report, 51.5% of micro shift workers are from Generation Z. They are followed by Millennials (27.4%), Generation X (12.9%), and Baby Boomers (8.6%).

Deputy CEO Silvija Martincevic explained, "Micro shift is not simply about working less, but about working smarter," and added, "The trend of preferring shorter work periods is expanding not only among Generation Z, but also among Alpha and Baby Boomer generations, indicating that this is not a temporary phenomenon but a structural change across generations." She also predicted, "Companies that adopt flexible work models will have a competitive edge in attracting talent in the future."

Economic pressure and technological advancement as driving factors

Recently, there has been growing interest in the 'micro shift' work style, especially among Generation Z in the United States. Pixabay

One of the main reasons micro shift is gaining attention is the increasing 'economic pressure.' According to Deputy's report, at the beginning of last year, when inflation was severe in the United States, the proportion of 'N-jobbers' (people holding multiple jobs) soared to 5.4% of the total workforce. After inflation somewhat stabilized, this figure dropped slightly to 5.2%, but it remains at a high level. Notably, among those with multiple jobs, 68% were from Generation Z and 25% were Millennials, demonstrating that younger generations are more likely to juggle several jobs to make ends meet. This indicates that as more workers take on multiple jobs to support themselves, demand for flexible work formats like micro shift is also increasing.

Technological advancement has also contributed to the spread of micro shift. With the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), companies can now adjust work hours more flexibly based on workers' circumstances, job characteristics, and preferences, resulting in a more adaptable work environment. CEO Martincevic emphasized, "We are now in an era where people can work at the times they prefer, not just at 'set times,' and the key driver behind this transition is AI." According to Deputy's report, 45% of workers responded that 'AI-based scheduling has improved their work-life balance.'

Some analysts believe that micro shift is a particularly advantageous work format for those just starting their careers. Paul Farnsworth, CEO of the talent recruitment platform Dice, said, "Graduates and job academy completers face three challenges: financial burden, strengthening expertise, and gaining practical experience." He explained, "Micro shift offers a flexible environment where they can build technical skills, explore various fields, and accumulate hands-on experience." He added, "In today's AI era, the ability to keep learning and to flexibly adjust one's career direction to match market changes has become more important than ever."