Strategy And Planning

Gen Z employee attends online meeting with neem face mask, sipping drink

March 17, 2026
www.ETHRWorld.com
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  • Published On Mar 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM IST

< />A short video from an everyday office Zoom call has suddenly gone viral, sparking debate about what counts as ” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/129640208.cms” height=”442″ href=”http://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/hybrid+workplaces” id=”10965805″ in=”” keywordseo=”hybrid-workplaces” loading=”eager” professional=”” source=”Orion” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” today=”” type=”General” weightage=”20″ width=”590″></img>hybrid workplaces. The clip, posted on X, shows a young woman joining her team meeting with a bright green neem face mask slathered on. </p> <p>In the footage, the employee stays fully engaged, chatting about AI product ideas as if nothing is out of the ordinary. Her boss doesn’t scold her or ask her to switch off the camera. Instead, he sounds genuinely interested, asks what the mask is for, to which she replied even he should try it too.</p> <h2>‘It’s because of these Gen Z’s our WFH is getting canceled’</h2> <p>The light-hearted exchange lasts under a minute but has now crossed 1 lakh views in less than 24 hours. The post has drawn hundreds of reactions, splitting users right down the middle. Many older professionals were quick to call it unprofessional. “It’s because of these Gen Z’s our Work From Home is getting canceled,” wrote one user. </p> <p>Another added, “Sad to see such things being called ‘next level’… if anything it is the lowest level of professionalism.” Several others worried that silly moments like this could push companies to scrap flexible working policies altogether, forcing everyone back to the office.</p> <h2>‘That’s how cool employees and the managers should be’</h2> <p>On the other side, younger voices and a few managers defended the scene. “That’s how cool employees and the managers should be as long as work is getting done well,” one commenter posted. Others pointed out that post-COVID work culture has already changed, people now expect a bit of real life to show up on camera instead of stiff suits and perfect backgrounds. </p> <p>The neem mask itself is no stranger to Indian households. Made from the leaves of the humble neem tree, it’s been used for generations as a natural skincare hack. What surprised people was seeing it worn openly during a serious business discussion.</p> <p>This isn’t the first time Gen Z’s relaxed style has raised eyebrows in corporate India. From hoodies in boardrooms to taking mental-health days without guilt, the generation born after 1997 keeps rewriting the old rulebook. Companies are still figuring out how to balance that freedom with the need for discipline, especially in startups where innovation matters more than appearances.</p> <p>As one reply put it, “For decades managers said work harder, stay longer. Gen Z walked in and said why?” That simple question seems to be at the heart of the current buzz. Whether this video helps or hurts the future of work-from-home remains to be seen. But for now, it has given Indians something fresh to debate over chai: where exactly should we draw the line between being ourselves and looking the part on a video call? </p> <div> <div> <ul> <li><a href=ET Online

  • Published On Mar 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM IST

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