Employees are branching out rather than moving up with career minimalism
From career ladder to lily pad
Career minimalism is reshaping how younger workers approach their professional lives. Often labeled as “entitled” or “lazy,” Gen Z is instead responding to an unstable job market by prioritizing flexibility, security, and personal fulfillment over traditional upward career mobility. Rather than climbing a rigid corporate ladder, they’re hopping between roles that meet their needs in the moment — a shift some experts describe as moving from a “career ladder” to a “career lily pad.”
A Glassdoor survey shows that 68% of Gen Z workers wouldn’t pursue management roles unless it came with a significant title or pay incentive. This reflects a broader trend: younger employees are choosing to “prioritize security and expansion over elevation” in an era defined by mass layoffs, rapid technological change, and widespread burnout. As Fortune notes, this approach is more realistic for today’s workplace, emphasizing boundaries, diversified income streams and new definitions of success.
Career minimalism also represents a deliberate move away from depending on a single employer. Chris Martin of Glassdoor told Fast Company that Gen Z isn’t rejecting work itself—just the outdated idea that loyalty to one company guarantees stability. With pensions disappearing and long-term job security increasingly rare, broadening skills and experience feels like a safer path. It also reduces geographic limitations and helps workers stay adaptable in industries transformed by fast-moving technology.
Its impact on the workplace is already visible. Gen Z strongly embraces side hustles, using them to diversify their income while keeping the stability of a primary job. These gigs are no longer seen as distractions but as meaningful outlets for creativity, entrepreneurship or activism. Many young workers now keep full-time roles for financial security, pursue side projects for passion, and maintain clear boundaries to prevent burnout.
While Gen Z leads the movement, career minimalism is spreading across generations. Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers are reevaluating what motivates them as promotions and titles lose appeal—especially when they come with more stress. Still, that doesn’t mean Gen Z shies away from leadership entirely. Those who do pursue management tend to value work-life balance, and employees increasingly expect flexible, supportive environments from Gen Z managers.
Ultimately, career minimalism responds to challenges facing all workers: burnout, broken advancement systems, unpredictable career trajectories and a desire for autonomy. The future of work appears less focused on constant climbing and more on choosing opportunities that align with personal values, energy and long-term goals.