Wearing a neem face mask and a towel on her head, a Gen Z employee turned on her camera during a meeting.
Her manager spoke to her about work and then asked about the mask.
The clip was part of a prank video by employees at RemoteStar, targeting their founder, Naresh Harwani.
But what drew attention was the boss’s reaction.
Watch the video here:
By 2026, Gen Z has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the Indian economy. With a staggering 377 million people, India is now home to the largest Gen Z population in the world.
This group accounts for nearly 30 percent of the country’s total population.
According to reports from the World Economic Forum and BCG, this generation is no longer just "entering" the workforce; they are actively reshaping it.
They already drive 43 percent of India’s total consumer spending, and by 2025, they are expected to make up more than a quarter of the global workforce.
As Gen Z enters the workforce, studies are tracking their workplace priorities.
Also watch: French President Emmanuel Macron’s Message to Gen Z | Brut TOS
Output Over Hours
The 2025 Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which included 809 respondents in India (505 Gen Z and 304 millennials), found that work-life balance and learning opportunities ranked among the top priorities. The survey examined how younger professionals in India define career growth and workplace expectations.
The findings indicated a focus on outcomes, skills, and learning in how work is evaluated.
Flexibility Is No Longer Optional
Hybrid and remote work expanded during the pandemic period.
Workplace studies and large-scale workforce surveys tracked how employees adapted to new work models during and after this period. Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index, based on global data with India-specific insights, analysed changes in digital work habits and expectations.
These studies described the use of flexible work formats in comparison to systems that track attendance and working hours in many organisations.
Also watch: Delhi’s Gen Z Steps Out to Protest for Clean Air| Brut Ground Report
Communication Getting Shorter And Faster
Workplace communication has increasingly included shorter messages, quicker responses, and the use of digital platforms.
Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index analysed communication patterns such as chat usage, meeting frequency, and response times. It reported a rise in chat-based communication and faster response times across teams.
Many organisations continue to use formal communication methods and structured review systems.
Also watch: What Angered Indian Gen Z In 2025?
Growth, Purpose, And Boundaries
Career expectations include progression, skill development, and the nature of work.
The 2025 Deloitte survey, based on over 23,000 respondents across 44 countries, examined how younger generations view work, growth, and stability.
In India, the survey found that 86 percent of Gen Z respondents prioritise soft skills for career success. It also reported that many are upskilling in digital tools, while 52 percent said they are living paycheck to paycheck.
Many Indian organisations continue to follow long-term tenure models and fixed working structures.
Also read: 1 in 4 Gen Z Men Say Women Should Not Be “Too Independent”
A System In Transition
Workplace structures in many Indian organisations are described as hierarchical, with seniority-based and top-down decision-making models.
Organisations have introduced new policies over time, while continuing to operate within existing systems and processes.
Several studies have noted changes in workforce composition with the entry of more Gen Z professionals into corporate India.
