A Millennial’s Survival Guide to Gen Z Co-Workers
Millennials remember the panic of slow-loading Friendster pages, the thrill of finally burning a CD without it skipping, and the gamble of downloading hits from LimeWire—viruses included. We survived all that and somehow figured out life without losing our minds.
Now we’re up against hypersensitive kids who get offended by everything and announce their feelings like breaking news. Here’s the thing though: the new generation isn’t the enemy. They’re the sequel. And like every sequel, they can be flashy, confusing, and a little over-reliant on special effects. But sequels need originals. We walked so they could TikTok dance.
They enter the workplace confident and unafraid to call out things we used to just “tough out.” And while some days it feels like they’re aliens with ring lights, maybe it’s not them who need to adjust. Maybe it’s us who need the upgrade. If your birth year starts with “19–,” continue reading!
Learn Their Language
Gen Z loves acronyms, slang, and niche internet humor. If you hear your co-worker say something is “lowkey fire but kinda sus,” don’t panic. Translate it in your head: good, but questionable. You don’t need to speak fluent TikTok, but knowing the basics keeps you from accidentally using “rizz” in an email to your boss.
Respect the Boundaries
Millennials prided themselves on hustle, late nights, and answering emails at 11 PM. Gen Z? They log out at 6 sharp and post “self-care” memes while we’re still writing reports. Don’t see it as laziness—it’s actually healthier. Learn from them. Work-life balance isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom.
Embrace the Tech
If you thought you were tech-savvy because you can make a PivotTable, prepare to be humbled. Gen Z will build a Notion dashboard with GIFs and automation before you’ve even finished Googling “how to use Notion.” Don’t fight it. Ask questions, adapt, and enjoy the free tutorials they’re basically offering. Remember, you once taught your parents how to copy-paste. The circle of life continues.
Share the Nostalgia
Bonding with Gen Z doesn’t mean pretending you’re one of them. It means bringing something they secretly admire—your stories. They didn’t grow up with LAN parties, Saturday morning cartoons, or the heartbreak of scratching your last blank CD. Share those tales. You’ll sound ancient, yes, but you’ll also sound cool. Think of it as giving them retro street cred.
Collaborate, Don’t Compete
Here’s the truth: Millennials have experience, patience, and perspective. Gen Z has fresh energy, bold ideas, and a natural eye for what’s trending. Instead of turning meetings into generational cage matches, use it. Pair their quick hacks with your long-term strategy. Think of yourself as the seasoned driver letting the kid DJ the road trip—annoying sometimes, but surprisingly effective (?) Well, maybe!
Laugh at the Chaos
At some point, you’ll get called “old.” You’ll hear a co-worker ask, “What’s MySpace? ” and feel your soul leave your body. Don’t sulk—laugh. That’s our greatest weapon as millennials. We’ve survived Y2K, multiple economic crashes, and that phase where everyone wore shutter shades. A little generational banter won’t kill us.
READ: Petmalu No More: Pinoy Slang That’s Past Its Prime
At the end of the day, the workplace isn’t about who’s cooler—we all know Millennials win that by default. So sit back, enjoy your overpriced avocado toast, and let the Gen Z drama unfold. We’ve handled pop quizzes in math class we didn’t study for and survived vending machine betrayals. If that didn’t prepare us for over-dramatic co-workers, nothing will.
