58% of Gen Z turn jobs into short-term ‘situationships,’ survey finds
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Nearly 60% of Gen Z workers now view their jobs as temporary “situationships,” and almost half plan to leave within a year, according to a new survey revealing a dramatic generational shift in the workforce.
The data, from a June 2025 survey by invoice-factoring service Gateway Commercial Finance covering 1,008 employed Americans, split between Gen Z and hiring managers, highlights a cohort (58%) that prioritizes personal values and short-term gains over traditional career loyalty.
Redefining workplace loyalty and job security
The New York Post reports that, for Gen Z, the traditional social contract of long-term employment in exchange for security has broken down. The survey found that fewer than half (46%) believe loyalty to one employer is rewarded. Only one in four feels long-term invested in their job.
Experts frame this sentiment as a rational response to decades of evolving workplace dynamics. As University of Illinois Sociology Professor Kevin Leicht noted, the era of the 30-year career at one company is over, a message this generation has internalized.
This disappointment with institutional loyalty is combined with an intense desire for personal non-negotiables. “What we’re seeing with Gen Z is a fundamental shift in what younger workers view as non-negotiables: mental wellbeing, identity alignment, and autonomy,” Christina Muller, a Workplace Mental Health Expert, told the New York Post.
“Unlike previous generations, they’re not willing to stay in jobs that compromise those values even if it means instability,” she added.
Researchers conclude this generation treats careers more transactionally, chasing flexibility and immediate gains. This pursuit manifests in extreme exits—30% admit to walking out without any notice or ghosting their employer—and in seeking income outside the traditional 9-to-5 structure through side hustles, freelance gigs, and other ventures.
Short job stints raise burnout and hiring risks
The generational demand for independence and expeditious departures has major individual and career effects. The average job tenure of Gen Z is only 1.8 years, and many quit even before the usual 18-month performance assessment period.
Such a short-cycle work pattern has an official personal cost. The survey indicates that Gen Z job-hoppers are 65% more likely to report feeling burned out, experiencing worse work-life balance, and having reduced satisfaction than those who remain in jobs longer.
At the same time, the trend is compelling companies to realign, with hiring managers responding to the instability. According to the survey, 25% of those who make hiring decisions at this time view a short stint in the job market as a red flag on a resume, and over a third (36%) have rejected a job hopper.
This creates a potential cycle of friction in the labor market. “What we’re seeing is drawing boundaries and opting out of a system they feel doesn’t always prioritize their wellbeing,” Muller concludes.
