March 2026
Some Gen Zers have made a career out of punching numbers. No, not with boxing– with Excel spreadsheets! “Excel esports” is competitive spreadsheeting, and college students have used it as a resume boost, some obtaining jobs as well as sponsorships. In addition to demonstrating problem-solving skills and composure under pressure, these athletes(?) also have something fascinating to make their application distinct from a sea of AI-assisted cover letters. (Fortune)
Millennials would rather let the career ladder crumble beneath them than get off themselves and find something new, with 6 in 10 wishing for an external excuse to leave their job, such as a layoff. Hesitancy comes from the “entry-level squeeze,” which 76% of HR professionals believe AI will play a role in tightening further. Establishing hope in these workers may require those in talent acquisition to restructure hiring pipelines. (Fast Company)
Companies are clamoring to tap into what makes Gen Z tick, as they are projected to own a third of all wealth by 2035. These employers and brands are uniquely inundated with information—not all of it accurate—about Gen Z because of the generation’s position in the timeline of digital information and the internet. Though there are large social gaps between Gen Z and older generations, it is key to not let this disconnect propagate stereotypes. (The Guardian)
Over 90% of employees believe their leadership has political leanings that influence workplace policies and decisions, which may impact promotions, pay bumps, and career opportunities. Of the 8 in 10 who talk politics at work at least once per week, most wish for policies that will curb that subject of conversation. While political turmoil leaks further into workplaces, it is up to leaders to clear up and effectively disseminate even-handed policies. (Worklife)
AI chatbots have a propensity to speak in “millennial cringe,” using jargon such as “chaotic” and “unhinged,” thus pushing the theory that much of the URLs AI crawls originated in the dot-com bubble and carried over that era’s vernacular. This reveals an important lesson in implementing AI tools for work: be aware of their biases. (Business Insider)
Healthcare costs are preventing 18% of Americans from changing jobs, 15% from pursuing additional training, and 29% from taking a vacation. Several milestone decisions like buying a home or retiring are being postponed due to the inordinate cost of care. Workplaces can mitigate the strain by encouraging preventative health and creating wellness initiatives. (Gallup)