Workers in 2025 have coined colourful terms to describe emerging workplace challenges, from “workslop” to “boreout,” according to a new report by Kickresume, an AI-based career tool company.
The buzzwords point to deeper workplace issues, including artificial intelligence misuse, demands for flexibility, and burnout concerns, the report noted.
AI shortcuts create “workslop”
“Workslop” refers to low-quality, AI-generated work that creates additional tasks for colleagues. The term has emerged as workers increasingly use AI to cut corners.
Kickresume found in previous research that 89% of people consider AI useful at work. However, the company said improper use of the technology has led to problems.
“If content created by AI isn’t edited properly, the quality usually doesn’t measure up,” the report said.
A related term, “spamplications,” describes using AI to send hundreds of resumes simultaneously. Also called “resume-spamming,” the practice involves mass applications in hopes of landing more interviews, the report said.
Workers seek flexibility
Despite return-to-office mandates, employees continue to seek remote work options, spawning terms such as “coffee badging” and “microshifting,” according to Kickresume.
“Coffee badging” involves clocking in, making small talk, and then disappearing throughout the day, the report said. “Microshifting” refers to working shorter blocks of time, such as four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening.
The company said recent studies show work-life balance and flexibility rank among the most sought-after job perks.
Gen Z labeled “office frogs”
Generation Z workers, born between 1997 and 2012, have been dubbed “office frogs” for frequently changing jobs, the report said.
“Changing jobs frequently isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can just mean that this generation is less likely to stay in a role that doesn’t serve them anymore,” Kickresume said.
Another Gen Z trend, “poly-employment,” involves holding multiple jobs simultaneously for additional income and variety.
Ghost vacationing reveals cultural problems
Kickresume found about one in three workers in both the US and Europe have taken “ghost vacations” — time off without informing employers — at least once in 2025.
“This can be down to a cultural problem at work,” the report said. “In some workplaces, using PTO might be frowned upon, creating a stigma around taking a break.”
A similar trend, “hush trips,” involves working remotely from vacation locations without telling employers.
Burnout extremes emerge
The report identified “boreout,” a form of burnout driven by feeling underchallenged and demotivated at work.
At the opposite extreme, the “9-9-6 schedule” — working 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week — has emerged as a concerning trend.
“It’s safe to say this schedule can quickly lead to a lot of stress — 72-hour weeks are not sustainable,” the report said.
Kickresume advised workers experiencing burnout symptoms to discuss workload concerns with managers or human resources departments.
Source – https://www.hcamag.com/us/news/general/workplace-buzzwords-expose-2025-strains/560717