This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Kelly Xiong. Find her on Instagram at @k.3lly. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
There has been a trend circulating TikTok amongst the Zillennials who are currently in the workforce. It showcases their professional side and their life outside of work. The first picture is labeled “who they think they are emailing” and it’s their professional headshot picture. This is then followed by a video or picture of them outside of work — usually beyond drunk and having a good time — labeled “who they are actually emailing”. There have been some extremely comical TikToks made under this trend.
The older Gen Z and Millennials are changing the rules of work-life balance. This trend, though silly, is actually deeper than just that. These TikToks are screaming separation between the office and your personal life. Just because you may choose to act a little crazy when you’re at a bar or club on the weekends, that does not reflect your professionalism or competency at your job.
According to an article published by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Gen Z and Millenials will account for the majority of the workforce in just a few years. This also means that they are bringing fresh new ideas, perspectives and energies to the workplace in a way that previous generations have not done. We are already seeing some of those changes and shifts as more and more of the younger generations enter the workforce. There is now a bigger prioritization on mental health, wellness, emotional well-being and flexibility when it comes to jobs and working. Sherry McCaskill, a College Programs Diversity and Employment Branding Manager at Toyota, even mentioned that unlike other generations Gen Z values a solid balance between work and personal life. These values translate into the viral TikTok trend.
Not all the videos are of the younger employers partying too hard though. Some videos are of them going to conventions dressed up in cosplay or leading a CycleBar class dressed up at Pittbull. No matter what it is we choose to do in our personal time is not a reflection of how we act when on the job. These videos show that behind the professional LinkedIn headshot, we are still just people who want to unwind and have some fun — now what that fun looks like is up to you.
Trends like these normalize work-life balance. You don’t need to act professionally all the time in order to be taken seriously. Just a few years ago, a bunch of doctors and nurses went to social to protest a medical journal’s article calling health profressionals “unprofessional” for posting pictures of themselves in swimsuits and holding alcoholic beverages. That article has since been retracted after outrage from the medical community. Many health professionals posted pictures of themselves in swimsuits and holding alcoholic beverages online with the hashtag #MedBikini in support and solidarity with those who were shamed. A post by one doctor said “I can wear swimwear to the beach in my free time & be a competent & compassionate physician at work.”
This TikTok trend is meant to be funny and lighthearted and it highlights the steps we’ve taken to erase our biases of “professional” vs “unprofessional”. Gen Z and Millennials are showing that they can do both — act mature and professional during working hours while also living their best lives when off work. Sharing these fun times online if anything, should be seen as positive. The culture surrounding work and personal life is slowly changing. We are working to live not living work. With these hilarious TikToks, we are bound to start shifting work culture even more.
Have you guys seen or heard about the “who they think they are emailing trend”? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments:
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