Woman Bashes Gen Z Office Workers Over Their 5 ‘Cringe' Behaviors

A Generation Z woman has divided opinion after revealing the unprofessional habits that she believes too many young workers fall foul of committing.

As a member of Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) who works in consulting, Olya has seen many questionable habits and behaviors from workers her age and younger. Olya, who is in her late twenties and resides in New York, told Newsweek that workplace behavior has “become much more casual,” and that is now being reflected in the way people choose to show up.

When reflecting on the naissance of our careers, many of us might remember being overly formal, trying to make a good impression, and adhering to longstanding expectations of workplace norms. But, now, as more Gen Zers enter the workforce, Olya believes they are unafraid to break the mold.

“I don't think these behaviors are unique to Gen Z, but they're definitely more comfortable challenging traditional workplace norms,” Olya said. “Every generation reshapes workplace culture, but Gen Z is doing it more openly and quicker. That said, just because norms are being challenged doesn't mean they've disappeared.”

Olya shared a video on TikTok (@princessolya111) outlining the five “Gen Z office behaviors that make me cringe.” The list includes using slang in professional settings (such as “slay” or “vibes” in meetings), inappropriate attire, talking loudly about personal matters, revealing too much information about personal lives while at work, and drinking too much at work events.

Behaving in a more-casual way isn't necessarily a bad thing, but Olya explained that it can be perceived as unprofessional in some instances. This aligns with a shift in communication, such as less-formal emails or “less attention to how messages might come across,” according to Olya.

Since it was shared on April 6, the TikTok video has captured plenty of attention and generated over 262,600 views and more than 11,700 likes at the time of writing.

Olya said: “I think a lot of people underestimate how much perception still impacts opportunity, especially early in your career. You can absolutely challenge corporate norms, but you must also understand the way they affect how you're perceived before you break them. Otherwise, you risk unintentionally holding yourself back.”

Although she is a Gen Zer, Olya regards herself as a “more senior and more established” member of her generation in the corporate world. So, her advice to those just starting out is to be intentional about how they show up to work-from attire, confidence, communication and attitude.

Of course, it remains possible to be more authentic with time. But, as they always say, first impressions matter.

The online reaction to the video is divided, perhaps reflecting the cultural shift that many are observing in their own workplaces. Some people still believe professionalism is a necessity, while others regard it as outdated. Nonetheless, Olya told Newsweek that the strongest reactions were from people who think adjusting their behavior “means they can't be themselves.”

With so many alternative career routes available, it is not a requirement to stay in a traditional corporate environment. But if you do, Olya recommends that you “play by the rules.”

She continued: “There's a difference between evolving workplace culture and ignoring the reality that perception still drives opportunity, and I think that's what people don't want to hear.

“It's better to start a little more polished and then adjust once you understand the culture. I encourage junior professionals to take into consideration their audience. How you communicate with peers isn't always how you should communicate with senior leadership or clients.”

In the days since Olya's video went viral on TikTok, many people have taken to the comments to share their thoughts. This has led to more than 400 comments on the post so far.

One comment reads: “I agree with most, except the talking one. Informal conversation is positive for team cohesion.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “Everyone's mad but she's absolutely right!”

A third person replied: “You're just feeding into the toxic corporate culture.”

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 9:13 AM.