Revenge Quitting And More Gen Z Managers? Here Are The Career Trends For 2025
Can you all believe that we're about to mark another quarter century passing by? It seems like it was just yesterday we were celebrating the start of a new millennium. As we near the close of another year, winding down to close out the last business quarter, and finally enjoying the holidays, it's good to get a head start on what's to come in our careers (and businesses). I mean, who doesn't want to get a winning edge on success for next year? Knowing the trends ahead of time is a good way to do that.
Glassdoor recently released its Worklife Trends 2025 report laying out stats and forecasting about what to look forward to in the job market and for your professional development. Here are a few main points to take note of in your job-seeking and career planning for next year:
1. Gen Z managers will be hitting the ground running.
Next year, the senior class of Gen Z will be 28, having spent at least a decade in the workforce. Glassdoor has found that, as Gen Z ages, they’re quickly entering the ranks of management. Based on current trends, one in ten managers in 2025 will be a member of Gen Z. And while we don’t want to define professionals by a generation—especially Black women who are not a monolith—there are a few interesting points from the report to note that terms like “wellbeing” and “empathy” were commonly mentioned in reviews when discussing leadership and management.
Also, mentions of boundaries (+99%) and burnout (+126%) have reportedly “surged as workers feel overwhelmed.”
Being smart by networking sideways, respecting innovation and different ways of approaching things, and empathizing (if you’re a millennial or older) are all great ways to prep for thriving in the new year at work. Also, if you’re in a position to hire, mentor, or manage a future Gen Z leader, keep in mind how you might need to level up or pivot.
For fellow Gen Zers, this is your time to develop your soft skills to match the tech acumen, partner up with peers who are already leaders in your industry, and build a foundation that leads to sustainability and reputation building versus the quick solo win at work.
2. Fed-Up Professionals Revenge Quitting
According to experts, employees’ “pent-up resentment will boil over,” resulting in workers quitting to find fulfillment or at least a different opportunity to work elsewhere. Glassdoor found via a poll that almost 65% of professionals said they feel “stuck” in their current roles, with 73% of respondents working in tech, 69% in consulting, and 64% of them in financing. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed were women.
"The longer the job market remains soft, the more workers are forced to stay even if it’s time for them to move on," the report indicates. "Once the job market heats up again, that will open a relief valve to release the bottled-up pressure, by giving workers the option to quit in favor of better options on the market. For the time being, employers may be benefiting from unusually low turnover rates, but they shouldn’t be complacent—a wave of revenge quitting is on the horizon."
When it comes to quitting a job, it's important to have an exit plan, beef up your savings, and keep your connections and reputation in tact when applicable (because hey, some bridges are just meant to be unapologetically burned and two weeks' notice is just not an option.)
3. Long-Term Effects Of Demotions And Pay Cuts
Professionals who have lost their jobs or who had to make a change due to certain circumstances face a “sluggish job market,” next year, with fewer options and “less negotiating power.” This has led to some settling for lower pay or a demotion.
Based on Glassdoor pay data, 17% of workers who changed employers indicated that their pay took a hit in 2024, and specifically, those in tech have seen the largest increase in pay drops, going from 11% in 2019 to 18% in 2024. Those who were in management roles were impacted the most when it came to taking pay cuts after going to a new employer.
And we all know that when smart, ambitious women take jobs that put them in the underemployment category, it can mean a missed opportunity to continue sharpening skills, making bigger moves up the ladder, and leading projects that spark a path to the VP or C-suite.
The job market has already been hit and is expected to face even more challenges next year, so this so-called “ladder drop” can have even deeper implications for mid-level and aspiring senior-level professionals.
(However, like anything in life, all doesn’t have to be lost, and we definitely aren’t Team Gloom and Doom over here. The next trend might be the remedy for this. Keep reading.)
4. Side Hustle Is The Norm
Glassdoor data also indicated that 39% of employees have a side hustle to supplement their income, rising to a make up of 57% of those professionals being part of Gen Z and 48% being millennials. And what’s behind the surge: A renewed version of American hustle culture sparked by the pandemic and the ever-growing popularity of social media influencing. “Indeed, the tired myth that ‘nobody wants to work anymore’ could not be further from the truth as the working age labor force participation rate reached 84% in July 2024, the highest level in over two decades,” the Glassdoor report indicates.
When you feel underemployed, burned out, want to earn more money, need to soft launch a new business, or simply want to transition into your over-40 soft-flex era (heeey, elder millennials!), starting a side hustle is clutch.
Whether it’s coaching, tutoring, digital market, writing, art, web design, or social media—the options are practically endless. Find ways to monetize your skills, fill a void in the market, or offer your unique spin to something already out there, and get a head start on side hustle success for next year.
5. Holistic Wellbeing Is The Investment
Glassdoor has found that employers are responding to the needs of employees when it comes to mental health and parental leave. Employees have indicated an 18 percentage point (pp) increase in access to mental health care benefits from 2019 to 2024, the second largest increase of any benefit, even when tightening other budgets. They’re also broadening benefits like parental leave (+12pp), family medical leave (+9pp), and bereavement leave (+9pp) in the top 10 benefits with the largest increase in access.
Knowing this, it’s important to negotiate and speak up about the benefits you’re offered both when you start with a company and as you grow with the company. it’s also good to know this in reference to possible side hustles or competitive knowledge when going for employment opportunities. Companies could tap you (or your side hustle/business) for skills and training in therapy, wellness, fitness, human resources, and insurance.
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Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Tasha Smith On Why Your Self-Worth Is Your Greatest Asset In Relationships
If the definition of BOOM needed a photo next to it, it better be Tasha Smith’s face.
Tasha Smith, 53, the actress known for her captivating performances and outspoken personality, has become a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Her portrayal of the fierce and fabulous Angela in the hit movie Why Did I Get Married? is nothing short of iconic.
Beyond her role in the Tyler Perry film, Smith has established herself as a versatile actress with a range of impressive credits to her name. She has consistently delivered powerful performances in both film and television, showcasing her ability to embody complex characters and bring their stories to life.
Off-screen, Smith is equally captivating. She is known for her candid and outspoken nature, never shying away from speaking her truth. Her authenticity and willingness to address important issues have made her a role model for many.
Lucky for us, she brings that authentic energy no matter the occasion. Tasha had us saying “Amen” and “Amen again” while listening to a resurfaced interview with Donni Wiggins on theFully Transparent podcast. There, she talked about starring in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, working with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and being a powerhouse.
One commenter shared, “Tasha Smith needs to have her own talk show and or motivational conferences!” and we couldn’t agree more. Keep reading for some gems that stuck with us!
Tasha Smith On Self-Worth and Resilience:
“Don’t let any man burn you out or make you feel bad about yourself. Don’t take 'no' from anybody. Period. I mean it, honey. When things go wrong, don’t stay down for too long. Let the comeback be quick and big, honey. Big. We’re resilient. We are.”
On Understanding Your Value:
“You have to understand your value. Sometimes, when things don’t go right in relationships, we, as women, tend to blame ourselves. But why does that have to be the case? I remember talking to a woman who said her guy cheated on her. I told her, ‘He didn’t think he was good enough for you.’ She looked at me confused, and I said it again, ‘He cheated because he didn’t think he was good enough for you.’ That behavior has nothing to do with you—it’s about him trying to feel better about himself.”
On The Power of Boundaries:
“If we understood our value, we’d have more boundaries, and we wouldn’t accept so much. You know what I mean? Because, honestly, we create bad behavior by what we allow. Women ask, ‘Why does he keep doing that?’ Well, because you keep letting him. The apologies are working, and those apologies come with more demonic ones.”
On Breaking the Cycle of “Sorry”:
“Once you get delivered from one 'sorry,' if you keep the door open, more will come in—stronger and harder to overcome. Before you know it, you’re stuck in that 'sorry' space. If you truly understood your value, you’d be quicker to walk away.”
On Moving Forward with Self-Respect:
“For me, at this point in my life, I’m not spinning the block anymore. You can’t just keep spinning the block. You have to have self-respect, boundaries, and a sense of your own worth. If you don’t value yourself, trust and believe a man won’t value you either.”
Watch the podcast interview in full below:
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