It’s no secret that anger and humor are effective agents of online engagement. Suno AI music brand ambassador Paige_.music (@paige_.music) knows this and is leaning in hilariously.
In a viral TikTok skit, Paige pretends to be a hiring manager with a grudge against younger workers. She explains that she’s got an example of why she doesn’t hire Gen Z specifically.
“I hired a Gen Z employee about two weeks ago, and she was so sweet. I don’t typically hire younger employees, but she had all the qualifications. So I thought ‘Why not?'” she says.
Fast forward to a few days, and Paige says she got an email: Her new hire is already requesting PTO. “She’s been hired for two weeks, so the answer is ‘no,'” says Paige to the camera. Nonetheless, she tries to appease the new employee by “looking into it.”
Twelve hours later, the employee has received no update. So she emails over a link.
The Song Of My People
The link takes the hiring manager to a song. “Almost Told,” made with Suno AI. It tells the story of a flight that “leaves Friday, so it’s kind of last-minute.” Then the lyrics further explain that the employee “saw a cheap deal … couldn’t not book it.”
Next, the singer pleads with her new boss “not to hate her” because the tasks will be done before they go. The worker promises loyalty and ends with a declaration and plea that they “just need three days,” and they’ll “Slack from there.”
The original video has been watched over 1.6 million times, and it’s not the first time Paige has run the “lamenting” a new Gen Z “hire” shtick. But it’s still pretty funny and encapsulates perceived differences in the work styles of the generations.
Unlikely Alliances
If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, then the solidarity between Boomers and Gen Z in the comments really comes as no surprise. But there are some surprising mea culpas in the comments. Of note, many Gen X-ers co-signed the personal time.
“Gen X here. I think it’s great people are no longer planning their entire world around work. You should want your employees to take time off and take care of themselves, it makes them better employees,” Holly B (@queenfrogholly) said. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to get that this post is satire. But, yes, Queen Frog, take all your vacation days.
Next, a Boomer added perspective: “Im 60. Things changed…a lot. Gen z isn’t as loyal as my generation was because employers are not as loyal or understanding as back then. It doesn’t matter how long someone has worked for an employer that doesn’t care about them. People need personal time. Happiness in life is more important than the company you manage. Work culture started this decline first.”
But mostly, people think it’s funny, and agree that on the basis of the song alone, the employee (real or not) should get the time off. “HAHAHA I would have to tell my team in our next huddle that I expect either a song or dance routine with each PTO submission from now on because this hilarious,” said Lamemomma21 (@lamemomma21).
Why Care About A Job That Doesn’t Care About You?
One of the biggest themes that emerged from the comments section is the idea that work benefits should be used. Another major idea is the one that your job doesn’t care about you, so take that sunny day off to be with your family. But there are also those commenters that seem to think any time off before 90 days is utterly ridiculous.
The professionally oriented site Ask A Manager says that it’s “frowned upon” to spring a request for days off in the first months of a new job. However, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Other times, the time off is worth potentially making a poor first(ish) impression and interrupting training for.
So generally, it’s not the request itself but in the how of the request—the literal song and dance you’re willing to do.
BroBible reached out to Paige via TikTok direct message and with a comment on her post. We will update this article if she replies to us.
@paige_.music I’m sorry maybe I’m an ahole but the song made on @Suno isn’t doing it for me. #corporate #employees #corporatelife #explore #funnymusic