Why Gen Z's 'workplace stare' is sparking generational tension—they break it down

Ah, Gen Z. They can’t really ever escape scrutiny, can they? 

You say the words ‘Gen Z’, and most people already have a picture in their minds: Entitled and perhaps a generation who is inventing the language to a point past recognition. (What is skibidi dee, can we get a dictionary, someone?)

But few conversations are as charged, or as revealing, as the one about Gen Z in the workplace. There’s been research, polls, think pieces, even entire new terms coined to decode their approach to work. They question the grind. They expect respect. They set boundaries. And just to make things messier, TikTok is always around to add a filter or trend to the mix.

The latest complaint: The ‘Gen Z stare’. Maybe, eye rolls, blank expressions, eyebrow raises, deadpan silence, the subtle art of workplace micro-expression. Some call it emotional boundaries. Others call it disrespect.

What does the Gen Z say?

Anyka Chakravarty, a 21-year-old, who currently studies in New York University, based in Dubai, explains her thoughts on the subject. "I’ve mostly seen the ‘Gen Z stare’ when referring to service industries, mainly food service when the scenario is of a younger person responding to requests, like an overly complicated coffee order where the person isn’t stating their order quick enough, so the stare becomes a way to express frustration,” she says.

Chakravarty adds, "I’m not sure exactly how it bleeds into the workplace because I feel like as a junior it would frankly be rude to respond to someone with a blank stare! If my supervisor or someone is assigning me work, I don’t necessarily have the same relationship as like a server and a customer.”

Furthermore, she notes, “I think it’s interesting when people talk about what causes it and a lot of people have said it’s because the pandemic meant that we couldn’t exercise our social skills in the same way.” She also says, “I saw a funny comment about the Gen Z staring at you like an iPad or a screen. I don’t know how true that is, but I think there is something interesting there about the fact that maybe we haven’t built those social skills in the same way as older generations.”

However, she ends with a shrug, “I will say, though I don’t think this is something I’ve noticed and it could be Gen Z blindness but I also think that the Internet tends to attribute random traits to specific generations when really ’it’s not that deep’.”

25-year-old Abu Dhabi-based Alice (name changed on request) draws from her own observations. Having just started interning, she feels that people, especially the older generation, are expecting her to ‘act out’. “Sometimes, millennials don’t make it too easy, and keep referring to Get Z in a rather offensive way—stereotyping us all as TikTokers with Labubu dolls, who just keep raising our voice about things we don’t know. At work, I notice a lot of light barbs, such as ‘Oh you’re Gen Z, I don’t get your generation’. And in a recent experience, I was spoken to rather harshly at work. I didn’t react rudely, but I did try to explain my point, and I was told, ‘Don’t bring your Gen Z’ attitude here.

So, who’s right? Are Gen Z overstepping—or are we just misreading the message?

The truth is, every generation has similar things to say about the previous.

Some millennials and members of older generations are choosing to take a more balanced, thoughtful approach to the conversation—rather than lumping Gen Z into one stereotype of eye-rolling, TikTok-obsessed rebels.

Agam Chaudhary, Founder and CEO of Two99, offers perspective: “Personally, I think every generation has its own language and way of expressing resistance or asserting individuality. The Gen Z ‘stare’ or eyeroll may come across as dramatic or dismissive, but underneath it, there’s often a valid point or an unmet expectation being expressed—just differently.”

He continues, “It’s easy (and tempting) to classify Gen Z with broad strokes, but I believe what we’re seeing is a generation that’s less afraid to question systems, more tuned into mental well-being, and deeply aware of their self-worth. What older generations sometimes see as ‘aggression’ could also be interpreted as ‘clarity.’ They’re simply not willing to romanticise burnout or hierarchy. That said, communication still matters. As with any generation, tone and context define the difference between a healthy boundary and an unnecessary wall.”

In essence, Chaudhary believes that instead of judging the eyeroll, we would be better off asking what caused it. Every reaction, he says, is a chance to listen better.

Samina Ghori, Deputy CEO at Kaya Clinic and a parent to a Gen Z adult, believes much of the generational tension comes down to misinterpretation. “Let’s be honest, every generation gets judged. Gen Z is just the latest,” she says. “Some people say they avoid direct conversations or give ‘attitude’ at work. But much of that might just be a different communication style.”

She points out that this is the first generation raised entirely online—communicating through emojis, DMs, and stories instead of face-to-face chats or phone calls. “They’re more open about mental health and more direct about their needs, but in a way that might not look familiar to older generations. What some call passive aggression is often just a different, less confrontational way of expressing boundaries or discomfort—with an all-too-familiar ‘I’m not ok with that.’”

The problem, she argues, is that we’re far too quick to lump them into one stereotype. “We take a few examples and apply them to millions of people. That’s not fair, and it’s not accurate.”

So why does the idea of Gen Z “pushing back” at work stir such debate? Ghori says much of it comes down to context.

“Gen Z isn’t afraid to say ‘no’ when something doesn’t feel right, and that challenges traditional work norms,” she says. Growing up during the pandemic blurred the lines between work and life for many of them, so burnout isn’t abstract, it’s lived experience.

“When they push back, on working late, unclear expectations, or toxic work culture, it’s not about being difficult. It’s about protecting their energy and mental health. They're trying to work smarter, not longer.”

That pushback, she says, is often mistaken for laziness or entitlement. “It’s actually a sign of awareness and self-respect. It’s time we stop confusing healthy boundary-setting with a bad attitude.”

To make matters worse, Ghori says, there’s a tendency to reduce Gen Z to a single archetype. “Gen Z isn’t one type of person,” she stresses. “It’s a huge, diverse group with different values, skills, and goals. Some want to travel and freelance, others want corporate careers. Some are quiet and cautious, others are bold and entrepreneurial.”

And many, she adds, are already rewriting the rules. “A lot of them are building multimillion-dollar businesses before the age of 25. They’re using TikTok, Shopify, and AI to launch startups, build audiences, and make real money. They’re not waiting for permission, they’re building their own careers on their terms. That’s not entitlement. That’s innovation.”

Ghori believes Gen Z is leading the way when it comes to a more sustainable approach to work. Setting a boundary, she says, isn’t a sign of disinterest—it’s a commitment to doing better, in healthier ways.

“Boundaries are things like: not answering emails at midnight, asking for clear instructions, taking breaks instead of pushing through exhaustion, saying no to unrealistic deadlines,” she explains. “It’s about being focused, clear, and sustainable.”

And they’re tech-savvy about it, too. “They ask, ‘Why spend five hours on a task that could be automated or streamlined?’ It’s not laziness, it’s smart time management.”

In conclusion, maybe the Gen Z stare is real. Maybe it’s exaggerated. But what’s clear is that we’re watching two value systems bump up against each other: one that’s been conditioned to keep their head down and push through, and another that’s more willing to question the rules, set boundaries, and express discomfort, even silently.

To some, that might look like defiance. To others, it’s a form of emotional intelligence. Gen Z isn’t perfect, and yes, sometimes that boundary-setting can come off as blunt, even careless. But it’s also true that older generations may be too quick to judge without first seeking to understand.

This isn’t a war between laziness and loyalty, or disrespect and diligence. It’s a generational shift in how we define work, respect, and communication. Maybe instead of asking who’s right, the better question is: What are we willing to learn from each other?

After all, a pause, a stare, or even an eye-roll, might just be the start of a conversation, not the end of one.