Gen Z rejected high-paying job at good company after almost two years of unemployment. One condition made her walk away: ‘I spent 2 years being drained….’

Gen Z are in no mood to put up with a lack of work-life balance and being overworked and don't hesitate to leave jobs even when they desperately need one. Taking to X, a user named Rhoda shared how, despite loving Gen Z and getting along with them, she sometimes didn’t understand their mindset. She shared an anecdote about her niece, who has been staying at home for over 19 months, applying to several jobs and facing rejection. She had no backup plan. Recently she finally received a job offer - a quality one at a good company. The job matched her profile and preferences and was at a well-known company. However, one condition made her turn down the offer without hesitation.

The Condition That Made Her See Red

The hiring manager informed her that employees would be expected to be available on Slack after 9:00 pm a few times a week when an important project came up. She had just one question: would the employees be compensated for this time. “She paused.

Asked one question: “Is that paid?” He laughed. “No, it’s just part of the culture here. We all do it,” wrote Rhoda. That made her decline the job offer.


There was a brief silence on the phone before the hiring manager that she had already been searching for employment for nearly two years and asked whether she was truly certain about turning down the opportunity.

Her response was immediate and unwavering. She explained that spending two years without a job had already taken an emotional toll on her, and she had no intention of exchanging that struggle for another situation that would leave her equally exhausted. With that, she ended the call.

“No second thoughts. No, “maybe I should just take it. I sat there staring at the wall thinking… damn. This generation isn’t soft.


They’re just done trading their peace for a pay cheque that still leaves them empty…” observed Rhoda.

Rhoda’s post became viral and received over 21K likes. Some commenters criticised the job candidate for turning down the lucrative offer. One observed that she could just have taken the job, honed her skills and looked for better opportunities. “I worked crap jobs because I was hungry. This gave me the skill to get better jobs. Now retired. She won't take a job because sometimes after 9pm she may have to speak to the company. Why not take the job and immediately begin looking for a better job. Always easier to get a better job when you have a job…” read the comment. However, others backed her for setting boundaries.

Another comment read: "I am not a Gen Z, but I don't work outside my offer letter. After 5PM anything that comes is billable. Don't tolerate toxic environments in the name of looking good.”