11 viral workplace buzzwords you need to know!

News
Joanne Swann
Gen Z conversation
Gen Z conversation

New research has revealed 11 new, trending buzzwords that are set to impact the workplace in 2024 and beyond.

The study, completed by employee recognition, rewards, and benefits platform, Rippl, investigated social media trends to unveil the terms and phrases that businesses, recruitment and HR professionals and Managers need to know to better understand their employees’ experience and expectations in 2024 and beyond.

Understanding the latest buzzwords isn’t just about staying trendy—it’s essential for keeping pace with the evolving expectations of employees and the rapidly changing dynamics of the professional environment. If you’re not familiar with these viral terms, you risk falling behind in the conversation and missing out on key insights that could be crucial for navigating the future of work!

Following the trends of ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘The Great Resignation’, thousands of Reddit and TikTok conversations were studied to identify patterns feeding workplace behaviours, with 11 brand-new expressions being uncovered.

Top 11 viral workplace expressions

1. Acting your wage – Putting in the considered appropriate amount of effort for the wage you earn

2. Monk Mode – Undergoing intense periods of uninterrupted focus and shutting out all external distractions to optimise productivity

3. Performance punishment – Being overloaded with colleagues’ work because you can take on more and operate above expectations

4. Loud suffering – Publicly sharing how busy you are, and how close you are to ‘burnout’, all in the hope of getting a pay rise

5. Fake happy – Putting on a happy face in the corporate environment whilst hiding true exhaustion

6. Woliday – Spending your annual leave working

7. Interview insanity – A long and strenuous interview process that doesn’t include any updates or feedback.

8. Office peacocking – When employers make their offices more attractive, hoping to entice employees back post-pandemic

9. Ghost jobs – Companies that post about jobs that don’t actually exist to make the organisation appear as though it’s thriving

10. Quitting guilt – Feeling guilty for quitting an unhealthy work environment and leaving colleagues behind

11. Interview post-mortems – A ‘grave’ term for post-interview debriefs

Chris Brown, CEO at Rippl, comments:

What’s most concerning about the latest trends identified here is the overall feeling of negativity arising from across the entire employee lifecycle – from interview to exit. This suggests employers need to do more to proactively create a candidate and employee environment that not only authentically values talent but ensures their experience is seen and heard so the workplace evolves with the wider, fast-changing landscape.

Chris Brown, CEO at Rippl

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

Share

Latest News

Latest Analysis

Related Articles

Patience Ogunbona: Why Introverted Leaders Are Burning Out in Workplaces Built for Extroverts

There is a version of leadership that gets rewarded in most organisations. It is loud, visible, and always on. It is the kind that gets promoted.

Half of Bereaved Employees ‘Managing Death Administration During Work Hours’

Half of UK employees who have lost a loved one are handling practical bereavement-related tasks during their working day, according to new research.

Top Usa Real Cash Casinos 2026 Verified By Experts

Discover the top USA real cash casinos verified by experts in 2026. Compare licensed online casinos offering generous bonuses, thousands of slots, live dealer games, and secure banking options for American players.

Why UK Players Are Flocking to Online Casinos Outside GamStop

UK players are increasingly choosing unregulated offshore casinos over GamStop-licensed sites to access bigger bonuses, faster payouts, and fewer gameplay restrictions like spin-speed limits. While these non-GamStop platforms offer greater freedom and higher welcome packages, they lack UK Gambling Commission protections, making operator reputation and licensing verification essential for safe play.
Previous article
Emily Miller: How gratitude and recognition can drive real employee wellbeing  
Next article
Business leader advice for protecting lone workers during turbulent times