How Gen Z are profiting from distant working preparations

It’s undeniable that working from home has seen staff on the clock nip out for the odd coffee or two, get on top of house chores or – for some – even take a nap while on company time.

However, Gen Z are taking the newfound flexibility that comes with hybrid working to a new level.

A recent TikTok saw a boss from Brisbane answering a video call with her young assistant, who’s clearly having her hair washed at the salon. 

Lucinda Bayly Hickling – who runs her own PR agency – took to her social media to post the clip in March.

‘This isn’t exactly what I meant by ‘flexible working arrangements’ available but go off queen,’ she penned.

Lulu Davidson – the assistant – stitched the video in her own TikTok, simply stating ‘in my defense…’ as she showed off her new haircut.  

Lucinda also wrote that she’s proud to have an employee that is ‘100% committed’.

‘If I’m at the basin at the hair salon better believe I’m enjoying the hair wash and I’m not picking up calls for ANYONE,’ she added.

However while commenters were largely supportive, many admitted to similar situations in the workplace – seemingly sparking the new start of a new working culture.

‘As a millennial manager, I tell my team they can work from the Bahamas, Mars or Hell.. as long as they get the job done,’ one wrote.

‘As a salon owner I can confirm this is at least once a day ‘oh I have to grab this I’m working’,’ another added.

Elsewhere, a third recounted: ‘My boss once called a girl out on our team meeting for getting a facial and her manager immediately scheduled hers for the next week and called her a genius.’

And salons are starting to adapt to what the Financial Times has dubbed WFH – ‘working from the hairdressers’. 

Speaking to the outlet, parlour owner Neil Moodie, whose business is based in Spitalfields, admitted ‘it means our internet has to be perfect… which it isn’t and it’s a nightmare’.

‘Everybody brings their laptop and does their work, especially when they get their colour done,’ she added.

‘I’ve had a couple of people do a Zoom meeting when they’re here with the camera on.’ 

Brooke Evans, who has a salon in Shropshire also told the FT how her place has installed additional USB ports and sockets to accommodate the changing market.

TikTok is also filled with businesses advertising their work-as-you-dye friendly facilities.

The Secret Garden Salon – located in Staten Island, New York, and Marlboro, New Jersey – made a clip showing off their accommodating services with the caption: ‘You’re always welcome to “work from home”.

‘Shoutout to @rissynoel for always making clients feel comfortable and welcome!

‘Let’s vote… Who has worked during their hair appointment?!’

Elsewhere, stylist Rosie Carta, from California, made a TikTok telling clients they can ‘of course’ work from home from her salon.

‘This desk is a life saver for stylists because your client wont be constantly looking down while they work & you’re trying to foil,’ she penned.

It comes as now almost one in four people believe they should even be allowed to WFA (work from abroad).

Researchers found 23 per cent of people want to work fully remotely so that they can live anywhere in the world while working for companies based in the UK.

Generation Z are the keenest to re-locate – with 44 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 saying working from home could be extended to working from abroad.

Millennials are the next keenest with 35 per cent of 25 to 39-year-olds believing if they are allowed to work from home they should be allowed to relocate internationally.

Those aged 40 to 55 – Generation X – and are less keen with 27 believing they should be allowed to work from abroad.

And the Baby Boomer generation – those aged over 55 – shun the idea, with just 17 per cent attracted to it.

The International money app Zing asked 2,000 UK adults if they believed the working from home culture should be extended to allow them to work from abroad.

James Allen, founder and CEO of Zing, said: ‘Our research shows that opinions on remote working internationally are evolving across all age groups in the UK.

‘Accelerated by Covid-19 lockdowns, employees are increasingly exploring opportunities to work remotely across the globe.

‘Remote working presents exciting opportunities including the chance to immerse yourself in different cultures over an extended period.’