Gen Z is often criticized for focusing too much on work-life balance aspects of life, such as turning down meeting requests because it affects work-life balance. Conflict with exercise. Now, a millennial CEO is joining the fray with the “most honest” absence request he’s ever received from an employee: taking 12 days off to deal with heartbreak.
Jasvir Singhco-founder and CEO of knot.dating, an AI-powered marriage app in India, shares an email he received from a young employee on social media It attracted the attention of thousands of users.
“Hello sir, I recently broke up. I cannot concentrate on work and need a short break. I work from home today, so I would like to take leave from the 28th to the 8th.” wrote a Generation Z employee.
I received the most honest request for leave yesterday. Generation Z doesn’t use filters! pic.twitter.com/H0J27L5EsE— Jasveer Singh (@jasveer10) October 28, 2025
Singer concluded in the caption: “Gen Z doesn’t make a filter!” The request may have been unusual for an outspoken leader unfamiliar with the younger generation, but the boss approved it without question.
“For me, it’s not surprising. If someone has some personal matters and can’t focus on work, that’s OK. So what’s the difficulty in that?” Singh tells Fortune.
In addition, as a business owner Love Expert App, singh I can understand the sting of heartbreak all too well. “Love is one of the strongest emotions in the world. If someone is going through this kind of pain, it’s hard to focus on work,” he added.
Gen Z is changing expectations for work-life balance in the office
For someone going through a breakup, taking time off may sound like a taboo concept. baby boomers. but Generation Z The script is now being rewritten to fit the criteria for the next PTO day.
Research shows that the generation gap is partly due to different expectations. For example, one study found that the youngest generation of workers Consider being 10 minutes late and still being on time. Meanwhile, baby boomers have zero tolerance for being late. a separate study They were found to be requesting more time off than any other generation, citing mental health issues.
On knot.dating, Singh said he works with a lot of 23- to 24-year-olds and has seen firsthand the transparency that comes with it. While other generations may want to think twice before speaking out to their managers, he said if Gen Z feels something, they will speak up.
“Millennials are a big shift compared to Gen Z. Two or three decades ago, no one wanted to talk about these things,” Singer said. “They couldn’t even think of asking their manager and getting actual approval for the leave.”
Singer says companies should listen to Gen Z and adapt
for being called sideline A traditional 9-to-5 job is one of many options financial independence. This is one reason why they may be perceived as too transparent or even blunt. Singer said they can afford to be honest because they stand to lose less money if they choose to leave their outdated workplaces.
Flexible and adaptable work is one of the main motivators for young talent to stay, rather than salary, reports say Look for flexibility over pay. If companies fail to adapt, there will be a talent crisis in the workplace, Singh said.
“Every organization has to adapt to new trends or culture,” he said. “If they (managers) don’t adapt, they will lose their talent.”
If anything, humans will be one of the most valuable assets in the future of work.
As one social media user pointed out X Post: “In the age of artificial intelligence, you should hire people with solid communication skills and excellent emotional intelligence. This guy does just that.”