New Gen Z work trip trend that would make Boomer's heads explode

Gen Z workers are blending business travel with personal time by bringing friends or family on fully paid work trips—a trend known as “bleisure.” While it offers flexibility and personal benefits, secrecy around this practice raises ethical and professional concerns.

Human Performance Expert Karen Gately of Corporate Dojo sheds light on the growing trend among Gen Z workers to combine business travel with personal time—sometimes bringing friends or family along on fully paid work trips. While this “bleisure” trend reflects a shift toward work-life integration, it also raises important questions about professionalism, trust, and workplace boundaries.

Key Insights:

1. Trend Overview: Gen Z embraces blending work and leisure, often taking plus-ones on work trips and sharing these experiences openly on social media.
2. Ethical Concerns: Recruitment experts warn that secretly bringing companions without employer consent can damage trust and professional reputation.
3. Generational Shift: Younger generations prioritize work-life integration and expect meaningful, enjoyable work experiences, contrasting with older generations who valued stability and separation.
4. Risks and Impacts: Distractions from companions may reduce work effectiveness, and insurance liabilities could arise if guests cause issues during trips.
5. The Bigger Picture: This trend reflects broader questions about boundaries as work increasingly invades personal life through technology, prompting calls for honest conversations on trust, professionalism, and mutual respect.

“Bleisure” challenges traditional workplace norms, urging employers and employees to discuss clear boundaries and expectations in a world where work and life are more intertwined than ever.

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Tags: Flexibility Flexible Working Generation Teams Work/ life balance Work/ life integration