ResumeBuilder.com Survey Finds 1 in 6 Generation Z Workers Used a Virtual Background to Fool Employers While Taking a ‘Hush Trip’

ResumeBuilder.com, the premier resource for professional resume templates and career advice, has published a recent survey report that examines the prevalence of taking ‘hush trips’ among remote or hybrid Gen Z workers. The report also shares insight into the reasons why workers take ‘hush trips’ and the consequences of them. The survey garnered responses from 918 Gen Zers who currently work remotely or hybrid.

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Based on survey results, 44 percent of Gen Zers surveyed say they have taken a vacation without their employer’s permission. Of this group, 57 percent say they gave the impression that they were still working normal hours even when they were not. In fact, 4 percent say they worked less than one hour, 28 percent say 1 to 2 hours, 30 percent say 3 to 4 hours, and 23 percent say 5 to 6 hours. Only 14 percent say they worked seven or more hours. Additionally, of employees who tried to keep up the appearance of working a full day, 65 percent say they used a virtual background to fool their employer.

Survey results also highlight the reasons why workers took ‘hush trips.’ Of those who took an undisclosed trip, 51 percent say they did so because their ‘PTO request was not approved,’ 27 percent say they ‘had no PTO to use,’ and 20 percent say they ‘didn’t want to use PTO.’ Among all hush trip takers, 41 percent say their employer found out, 45 percent say their employer did not, and 14 percent are unsure. Of those who were discovered, 71 percent say they were reprimanded, and 7 percent say they were fired.

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This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the survey platform Pollfish. It was launched on July 20, 2023. In total, 916 participants ages 18 to 26 were surveyed. To qualify for the survey, all participants had to pass through screening questions to ensure they are currently employed and working fully or partially remotely.

ResumeBuilder.com provides free templates to help create professional resumes. The website also offers up-to-date information and machine learning tools for job seekers. With a team of certified resume writers, recruiting experts, and hiring managers, users gain a competitive advantage and confidence to get hired faster.

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