Hong Kong’s Gen Z shuns full-time jobs, embraces slasher culture
HONG KONG, CHINA — In bustling Hong Kong, a significant shift is occurring as Generation Z workers increasingly reject the conventional 9-to-5 work model, potentially reshaping the city’s work landscape.
The rise of the slasher economy
A 2024 survey by the Hong Kong government found that 36% of youths not in school or training had no intention of finding a job. This echoes a similar phenomenon in mainland China known as “tang ping” or “lying flat,” where young people are disillusioned with uncertain futures and high societal expectations.
Hong Kong’s affluence has enabled some young adults to rely on their families for support, giving rise to the phenomenon of “full-time children” – young adults who live at home and do chores in exchange for an allowance.
In the meantime, a growing number of young Hong Kongers are embracing what’s known as the “slasher” lifestyle – holding multiple part-time jobs instead of pursuing traditional full-time employment. Recent data shows that 52% of Gen Z professionals are engaging in freelance activities, with more than half doing so full-time.
This trend reflects deeper changes in workplace expectations. Nearly 78% of Gen Z workers prefer hybrid working arrangements over daily office commuting, while 73% report experiencing less stress under flexible work models.
Economic implications
This trend, fueled by a desire for work-life balance, mental wellness, and flexible working arrangements, has left many employers struggling to fill vacancies and raised concerns about the city’s economic future. The territory faces a manpower gap of 50,000 workers, which could triple by 2028.
“They are the future generation, and they’re going to make up the majority of our workforce. They’re very outspoken. They have a lot of great ideas. Instead of rejecting them, instead of being negative about them, I think we should embrace them,” notes Wendy Suen, Head of Talent Solutions, told CNA Insider.
Redefining success
While previous generations prioritized job security and salary, Gen Z increasingly values work-life balance, development opportunities, and workplace flexibility.
“When Gen Z finished the work, they probably want to leave to pursue their personal life, whereas, you know, a lot of other workers would still stay in the office, sort of to show that they’re hard working,” Suen added.
Twenty-nine-year-old Gavin, who manages a team of Gen Z workers at a qipao shop, embodies this new approach: “We don’t have much hierarchy. We’re using a new way of management so that it’s not high and we can communicate with each other easily. We take each one together as a teammate, but not up and down level.”
Employer response
The impact of this cultural shift extends beyond individual preferences. With Hong Kong’s economy heavily dependent on small and medium enterprises, which make up 98% of businesses and employ almost half the workforce, adapting to these new workplace expectations has become crucial for the city’s economic future.
To attract and retain young workers, employers are being urged to rethink their traditional approach to recruitment and management. This includes offering more flexible working arrangements, flatter hierarchies, and a greater emphasis on employee well-being.
Whether these efforts will be enough to entice Gen Z back into full-time employment remains to be seen. For now, the slasher culture appears to be here to stay, and Hong Kong will need to adapt to this new reality.
