WX trends: Workplace culture and why work-life balance is going viral

Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.

Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” But what exactly shapes company culture today? In this WX trends, we explore the viral moments, key questions, and critical data that reveal the evolving dynamics of workplace culture and the ongoing quest for work-life balance.

The viral Gen Z note that sparked a debate on workplace culture

Can a single email spark a global conversation about workplace culture? It did.

A snapshot of an email from a Gen Z employee notifying their supervisor about an upcoming leave went viral recently, fueling a discussion on social media about workplace culture and communication styles across generational lines.

Posted on X by investor Siddharth Shah, the note read: “Hi Siddharth. I will be on leave on 8th November. Bye!”.  

The post gained over 2.5 million views and 28K likes on X and got people talking about work-life balance and changing expectations in the workplace around issues including mental health, independence, and professionalism. 

“This isn’t just about a brief email,” says Holly Grogan, Chief Experience Officer at Appspace. 

“It’s a microcosm of larger trends. Gen Z is prioritizing autonomy and mental wellbeing, while challenging traditional ways of communicating in the workplace. I think companies need to adapt and create environments that respect diverse perspectives.” 

It’s easier to do that, she says, with effective employee communication solutions in place. 

Employees today aren’t connected to company culture

The Great Resignation, quiet quitting, and now… the Great Disconnect?

U.S. employees’ attachment to their company culture has been essentially flat for years, according to Gallup research. And it’s been a steady decline from 2021.

In 2024, just two in 10 employees strongly agree that they feel connected to their organization’s culture. Leaders are more connected to their company culture, but still only 40% report feeling fully connected.

“This data is concerning because it shows that many employees don’t feel a strong sense of belonging at their company,” says Grogan. 

“This disconnect can lead to lower engagement, productivity, and retention. Companies need to invest in creating a strong culture that employees want to be a part of. This means actively listening to their needs and feedback, creating open lines of communication, and fostering a sense of shared purpose and belonging.  It’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and connected to something bigger than themselves.”

Want to know what a workplace culture’s like? Ask these questions in an interview

Don’t just answer questions in your next job interview – ask these insightful ones to uncover the company’s true culture.

While many job applicants focus their interview prep on answering questions from the interviewer, it’s equally important to prepare questions to learn about the company, according to an article in Forbes. 

The article outlines seven key questions to ask interviewers, including: 

• How are successes celebrated? 
• How is employee feedback gathered on a team, department, and company level? 
• How are the company’s core values reflected in day-to-day operations?

Grogan endorses this approach. “These questions reveal how employees are valued, how communication flows, and whether the company truly lives its stated principles. It’s about finding the right cultural fit.”

Again, she emphasizes the role of technology in shaping these cultural elements: “Having the right tools in place is crucial for fostering connection, collaboration, and a sense of community within the workplace.”