Working from home can offer a better work-life balance, with no commuting and, for the most part, fewer distractions. However, some remote workers may try to kill two birds with one stone by bringing their laptop along to personal appointments.
Recently, a video revealing a Gen Z assistant's whereabouts while working remotely one day has gone viral on TikTok. The footage shows Lulu Davidson, 21, getting her hair washed in a salon while video-calling her manager, Lucinda Bayly, 31.
Newsweek spoke to Bayly about the hilarious clip, which has racked up 2 million views since it was shared March 22.
"I actually voice-called Lulu, and she made it a FaceTime, clearly because her ears were wet and soapy," she said. "I thought it was hilarious and had a good laugh about it, and then we got down to business."
Bayly, who is in Brisbane, Australia, said she has no qualms about her staff working from home. She told Newsweek that she didn't mind when she found out Davidson, a university student, was at a hair appointment.
She added: "I didn't know, which is why it was so funny when she picked up like that, but she was online, as I had been texting her and emailing her before that call. So it doesn't matter where she is to me, as long as her tasks are being delivered on time and delivered well.
"Lulu is fabulous at her job, and I am very grateful to have her on my team," Bayly added.
The video caption reads: "This isn't exactly what i meant by "flexible working arrangements" available but go off queen." The clip has amassed 188,300 likes.
Recently, a survey found the younger generation has no desire to stay in remote work. Polling by Seramount, a professional services and research company, found that only 11 percent of Gen Z workers want to be fully remote. That's significantly lower than their older counterparts, at 34 percent.
The survey also found that Gen Zers, who were born between 1997 and 2012, prefer jobs that offer a hybrid work arrangement (74 percent). Only 52 percent of older workers agreed.
Bayly, the founder of an Australian PR and content agency called Bayly PR, described herself as a "big advocate" for hybrid working. "I'm very happy for my teams to make their own schedules according to what works best for them."
She continued: "The PR business is very outcomes-based so I thrive on fostering mutual respect within our professional relationships, and my team performs better when I provide them with my full trust and respect. And that is going to get the best outcomes for our clients, so it's a win-win for everyone."
So far, the video, which is paired with the No Doubt song "Just a Girl," has received more than 1,100 comments.
"The fact that she answered lets me know she is in a very safe space with you!!!" said one user.
Another comment, with over 43,000 likes, said: "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."
"With the camera on?? I need this level of confidence," said another user.
Have you had a workplace dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more
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