I’m a late millennial Project Manager who has been hiring Gen Z adults (between ages 21-24) to fill some roles below me. I held the same role I am hiring for but was promoted into management 3 years ago.

I have noticed a total shift in personality in the people I have hired since late 2021. First, as a whole, they are a little more awkward/aren’t as socially adept as people I hired more than 2-3 years ago. Second, they really value a work-life balance (which is great). Before, if a project had to be worked on a little past the 8 hour mark each day for a week, that was ok. Now, people will leave project forms on their desk -even if in the middle of something - and leave immediately at the 8 hour mark without saying bye - they kinda just vanish lol. They are salaried, by the way. And, they generally will never talk to other staff outside of work/are less willing to get drinks. When I was in their position 3 years ago, I was frequently going out with my coworkers after work and sometimes even my direct supervisor.

These people I am asking about spent their last 2 years of college in lockdown, so I’m wondering if these behaviors are the product of COVID? Like, it changed peoples mindsets and social behaviors? And maybe they’re just more used to creating more firm boundaries since that’s what the pandemic forced a lot of us to do with remote work/school?

Has anyone else noticed these changes? To be clear, I’m only between 6-8 years older than them so I don’t think it’s solely a generational shift in attitude.

To be clear: I totally support work-life balance and a strict 8 hr work day (and mental health days). Although I miss the pre-covid mentality of trying to have friendly relationships with coworkers, I am totally on board with staff doing what they feel is best for them. I am just curious if others have noticed this abrupt post-covid attitudinal shift toward work, or if it was unique to my work environment/only the people we have hired