A video of a Gen Z-er getting ready for her weekend shift at a grocery store has gone viral.
But it isn’t so much the content that has captured TikTok users’ attention, but the reason why she still has her very first job instead.
Kaylee Baker, 23, told Newsweek: “Being an only child plays a big role in my attachment to my co-workers.”
The video of Baker, a social media manager, wearing her grocery store uniform and applying makeup has racked up 3.7 million views.
Kaylee Baker/TikTok/@kayleebayker
An extract from the text layered over the footage says: “How am I just supposed to leave the people I’ve been working with for the past SEVEN YEARS??”
Previously, a survey by Seramount, a professional services and research firm, revealed that Gen Z workers would rather not work from home. Baker, who has been employed at her part-time job since she was 16, values the opportunity it offers for social interaction after spending the rest of the week at home. However, this is not the primary factor behind her decision to juggle both jobs.
She told Newsweek: “The people you work with can make the job a million times better or worse, I have been fortunate enough to want to stay with the company and around them.
“If I didn’t enjoy the co-workers so much then I would have left a long time ago. My co-workers have become like family—the older employees feel like a bonus mom or grandma to me. They are so sweet, they always get excited when they see me.
“They call me cute nicknames like sugar and honey, and always make me feel special every time I speak to them. I’ve found I can relate a lot to with the girls who are my age. Over the years, we have all become super close.”
Baker works around 37.5 hours in the week and four to 24 hours per week at the store. While she may have to cram in leisurely activities, she insists picking up the extra shifts at the store are worth it.
“I don’t get much socialization or exercise as I am in front of a screen all day during the week,” she said. “So it is nice to have a weekend job where I can talk to people. It’s a nice balance!”
According to the comments, Baker isn’t the only one who has continued to keep their part-time job. So far, over 1,490 users have commented on the clip that has 442,400 likes.
One comment with 55,200 likes said: “Me at 29 telling my corporate boss I can’t stay late for an event because I have a shift at Pizza Hut.”
Another said: “Me cause how am I supposed to lose my employee discount.”
“I’m about to hit 5 years at my ‘summer’ job and honestly can’t imagine leaving some of my coworkers (my work besties [about] to be 65! [love you] pam),” said a third commenter.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.