Quiet vacationing is the latest work trend. Hustle culture has encouraged millennials to take holidays and breaks clandestinely rather than ask for paid time off (PTO) to avoid appearing like they are slacking or being bludgeoned with productivity and deadline pressures, writes CNBC. Moving their mouse from time to time to seem active for their managers or scheduling a late email to appear to be working overtime are some of the tactics they use to appear productive.

Gen Z are a little different. This bunch is more gung-ho about their right to relax. Unlike millennials, who might be too shy to ask, Gen Zers are more vocal when it comes to shaming workplaces for making it difficult to take time off.

Workplaces need to make it okay to ask for PTO. Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer at The Harris Poll told CNBC “When people feel the need to sneak out for breaks, it’s a sign that their workplace doesn’t have a supportive PTO system or culture in place.” And this should begin with the people on top, she adds. Requesting PTO should be normalized by giving the employee support, mandating a specific amount of time off, taking time off as a boss, and being transparent in terms of how employees are expected to request it.

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