India’s Gen Z is redefining what disengagement looks like in the workplace. Rather than handing in resignation letters, many young professionals remain physically employed but are emotionally checked out — a trend experts call silent resignation or resenteeism. This shift isn’t just a fad; it’s rooted in cultural and economic realities like limited job options, high living costs, family expectations, and the social stigma of quitting, making departure feel like a luxury rather than a choice.

Unlike in Western countries where open quitting is more common, Indian Gen Z often stays in roles where they only meet the bare minimum expectations, avoid taking initiative, and emotionally distance themselves from outcomes. What may appear as workforce stability can mask a slow erosion of motivation and innovation.

This phenomenon reflects broader global shifts in work values — prioritising mental well-being, meaningful work, and clear boundaries — but in India it’s shaped by societal pressures and workplace hierarchies that value endurance over creativity.

For employers, the real risk isn’t mass exits but long-term apathy. Retaining headcounts won’t be enough if organisations fail to address the disconnect between evolving employee expectations and rigid corporate cultures.