"They Say 'Kids These Days Are Lazy'? Job Ad Declares 'No New Hires Who Take Sick Leave on Mondays and Fridays'"

'No Generation Z' phrase in job posting
"Generation Z works more than previous generations," statistics show

In Switzerland, a job posting bearing the phrase "No Generation Z" has been made public, reigniting debates over stereotypes about young people and intergenerational conflict.

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According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF on the 9th (local time), a care service company located in R?mlang near Zurich posted a job advertisement for a team leader-level position on a recruitment website last month, putting the phrase "No Generation Z" in the title.

Controversy over discrimination spreads over 'No Generation Z' phrase

The body of the posting also included the phrase "No Monday or Friday sick-leave mindset." Although the age range for Generation Z is not clearly defined, local media interpreted this posting as effectively excluding applicants born between 1995 and 2010.

Under Swiss law, age limits in the hiring process are not considered discriminatory acts. The phrase was later removed, but criticism continued that it had labeled young people as lazy.

In fact, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, in 2024 the average number of sick days by age group was highest among those aged 55 to 64 at 10.6 days, while those aged 15 to 24 took 9.5 days and those aged 25 to 34 took 8.2 days.

Generational researcher Fran?ois H?pflinger acknowledged that younger generations tend to value a balance between work, family, and leisure, but said that differences within generations are greater than differences between generations, arguing that the debate over Generation Z is exaggerated. He said, "It is a stereotype that has nothing to do with reality and a long-standing tradition," adding that "(since the time of the ancient Greek philosopher) Socrates, people have complained that young people are lazy and do not listen to adults."

Yael Meier of consulting firm Ch??m said she often hears from companies that young new employees do not want to work overtime, and criticized as short-sighted the attitude of lumping Generation Z together and excluding them while ignoring their view of the labor market.

Generation Z debate continues in Germany... Clash over 'work more'

The debate over Generation Z is also ongoing in Germany, which often cites Swiss work culture as a best-practice example. Political calls to "work more" are being interpreted as remarks targeting young people who prioritize work-life balance.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz fueled the controversy last month by saying, "Our parents' generation did not complain when they rebuilt Germany after World War II," and asking, "Did they talk about work-life balance or a four-day workweek?"

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the center-right ruling party, is also considering legally restricting so-called "lifestyle part-time" work, in which employees reduce their working hours for personal leisure reasons rather than for unavoidable reasons such as caregiving.

However, Monika Schnitzer, a member of the German Council of Economic Experts, a federal government advisory body, criticized politicians, saying, "Generation Z is working more than previous generations," and that the political establishment is shifting the blame for low growth onto young people. She added that combining study and work is not a choice but a necessity for many young people.

According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which is affiliated with the Federal Employment Agency, the labor force participation rate among those aged 20 to 24 rose from 69.7% in 2015 to 75.9% in 2023. The institute argued, "The perception that Generation Z works less is not in line with the facts, and young people are more diligent than ever."