Gen Z frequently faces criticism for prioritizing the "life" aspect of work-life balance, such as declining a meeting invitation because it clashed with a workout. Now, a millennial CEO has added to the debate, with the “most honest” absence request he’s ever received from an employee: To take 12 days off to deal with heartbreak.
TL;DR
- A Gen Z employee requested 12 days off due to a recent breakup, citing difficulty concentrating.
- Millennial CEO Jasveer Singh granted the request, noting Gen Z's direct communication style.
- Singh believes businesses must adapt to Gen Z's transparency and work-life balance priorities.
Knot.dating's co-founder and CEO, Jasveer Singh, revealed an email from his junior employee on social media, which has captured the interest of numerous users.
Hello sir, I've recently gone through a breakup and am finding it difficult to concentrate on my work, so I require a brief leave. "Since I'm working remotely today, I'd like to request time off from the 28th through the 8th," the Gen Z team member stated.
Yesterday's leave application was the most straightforward I've received. Gen Z eschews pretense! Pic.twitter.com/H0J27L5EsE— Jasveer Singh (@jasveer10) October 28, 2025
Singh stated in the caption: “Gen Z doesn’t do filters!” While the request might seem unconventional to leaders unaccustomed to the frankness of younger individuals, the superior readily granted approval.
This outcome doesn't surprise me in the least. It's acceptable if someone is dealing with personal matters that prevent them from concentrating on their job. So how is it a hard deal?” Singh tells Fortune.
Furthermore, as the proprietor of a love expert app, Singh understands the pain of a broken heart intimately. Love stands as one of the most potent feelings globally. He further stated, "When someone is experiencing that kind of pain, it's incredibly hard to concentrate on their job."
Gen Z's influence is reshaping workplace attitudes toward work-life balance.
Requesting time off work because of a romantic relationship ending might seem like an unconventional idea for boomer generation. However, Gen Z is currently revising the script for what's considered the standard for their upcoming PTO day.
Research indicates that a portion of the generational divide stems from divergent expectations. A recent study indicated that the newest cohort of employees thinks 10 minutes late is still on time. For baby boomers, punctuality is paramount. A recent study revealed that this generation is requesting more vacation days than any other, attributing this to mental health challenges.
Singh mentioned at knot.dating that he frequently works with individuals aged 23 to 24, which allows him to directly observe the transparency that accompanies this age group. He stated that unlike other generations who might hesitate to voice their thoughts to a manager, Gen Z will express their feelings directly.
A significant generational change is occurring, with Millennials and Gen Z at its center. "Twenty to thirty years ago, people weren't willing to discuss these topics," Singh remarked. “They couldn’t even think of asking their manager and getting real leave approval.”
Singh advises that businesses ought to pay attention to and adjust for Gen Z.
For the generation known as the side-hustle cohort, traditional 9-to-5s are one of many options for financial independence. This might be why they appear overly direct, or even abrupt. Singh stated that their ability to be forthright stems from having less financial exposure should they decide to leave behind obsolete work environments.
Instead of compensation, young talent is more likely to remain with a company due to flexible and adaptable work arrangements, according to reports finding flexibility outvalues compensation. Singh stated that if businesses don't evolve, they'll face a talent shortage.
“Every organization has to adapt to the new trend or culture,” he said. “If they [managers] are not going to adapt, they’ll lose their talent.”
In fact, being human might well become one of the most prized possessions in the evolving landscape of employment.
A social media user remarked on the X post, stating: "In this era of AI, it's crucial to employ individuals possessing strong communication abilities and high emotional intelligence." This individual is that individual.