Episode Details

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning workplace podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture. This week, we explore the shifting vocabulary of the modern office, the rise of "Gen Z entrepreneurs," and a sobering look at the prevalence of toxic leadership.

Plus, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we dig into the research behind "Bring Your Dog to Work Day" and answer three tough listener questions in a bumper Workplace Surgery.

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Six Words Defining the New World of Work Leanne introduces "dry chatting"—the practice of rehearsing emotionally charged conversations with AI before having them in real life. We also explore:

• Meaning-maxxing: Optimising life around purpose rather than status.

• Rage applying: Rapidly submitting job applications as a cathartic response to frustration.

• False retention: When staff stay for security but aren't actually engaged.

• Vibe working and the Anti-office: How AI and office design are prioritising "progress over productivity." Source: https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/how-world-of-work-changed-times-enterprise-network-t0zvf96wv

2. The Gen Z Career Ladder is Being Rebuilt With entry-level hiring at its lowest rate since 2020 and AI automating "learn-the-ropes" tasks, Gen Z is pivoting to ownership. We discuss why "the new promise is ownership" and look at young founders who are turning down traditional internships to build their own empires. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ng-interactive/2026/apr/25/gen-z-entrepreneurs-business-ai

3. Is Toxic Leadership the New Norm? A new study reveals that 6 in 10 workers currently have a toxic boss. We discuss the impact on mental health and why many employees feel companies are investing more in AI than in developing their people managers. Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91534390/6-in-10-workers-say-they-have-a-toxic-boss-study-finds

🧠 Truth or Lie: Bring Your Dog to Work Day

Does having a "fluffy colleague" actually support mental health?

• The Truth: Some studies suggest dogs act as a stress buffer and increase workplace engagement.

• The Lie: The evidence is surprisingly weak. Most studies rely on self-reporting, and for the 15-30% of people with allergies or phobias, a dog-friendly office can be a major source of stress.

💬 Workplace Surgery

Question 1: Are we doing more harm by asking and not acting? We regularly survey our people and ask for feedback, but if I’m honest, we don’t always act on what comes back. Are we building trust by listening, or damaging it by not following through?

Question 2: Why isn’t anyone using our wellbeing benefits? We offer a range of wellbeing benefits — things like support resources, initiatives, and time off — but hardly anyone actually uses them. What are we missing?

Question 3: If people keep leaving, is it really a hiring problem? We bring in good people, but a pattern’s emerging where they leave within the first 12 months. Is this a recruitment issue, or something happening once they’re inside the business?