The days of quiet quitting are over. Gen Z is navigating today's tough job market with side gigs.

Why it matters: Over half of Gen Z (57%) now have a side gig, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them "America's first true 'side hustle' generation."

The big picture: Younger people "want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder," Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao tells Axios.

Between the lines: Most are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash as economic uncertainty grows, Zhao says.

• Some are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. "For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project," Glassdoor researchers wrote in a 2025 report.
• Meanwhile, AI and other tech advances have made it easier for professionals to monetize their skills and passions.

State of play: Workers feel anxious right now. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren't seeing the career growth they expect, Zhao says.

• College students' financial optimism has fallen to the lowest level since tracking began in 2018 — largely due to concerns about unemployment and "AI-induced layoffs," Morning Consult survey data shows.

The bottom line: Young adults are "redefining success by prioritizing independence, flexibility and purpose alongside ambition," Citizens Bank's Chris Powell tells Axios.

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Gen Z workers are chasing more time in the office too.

Why it matters: The generation with a reputation for preferring fully remote work is actually the least likely to want it — reflecting deeper worries about connection and growth, recent Gallup polling shows.

By the numbers: Fewer than a quarter (23%) of remote-capable Gen Z employees say they'd prefer fully remote work, compared with 35% among each older generation, according to Gallup's 2025 survey.

• And Gen Z is the most likely to want employees in the office more often.

State of play: Many say they've had enough of working from home, alone, possibly in their sweatpants.

Loneliness is a major driver of the shift back to the office: 27% of Gen Z workers say they felt lonely "a lot" of the previous day, nearly double Gen X and close to triple baby boomers, per Gallup.

• Career advancement is another. "As employers implicitly or even explicitly prioritize in-person workers for promotions and career opportunities, remote and hybrid workers are being left behind," Glassdoor researchers wrote in November.

What they're saying: "Older workers already have established relationships, so when they work hybrid or remote, they tend not to lose" them, Jim Harter, chief scientist for workplace management and wellbeing at Gallup, tells Axios.

• "Younger workers are still establishing those relationships in the workplace, and it's hard to do that from a distance."

Chic cubicle decor

🖍️ A state Senate committee reconvenes Wednesday to discuss the proposed congressional maps. One keeps two majority-Black districts, while the others eliminate one or both of them. (Fox 8)

• The maps were introduced Friday during a committee meeting, which drew an overflow crowd at the Capitol. (Louisiana Illuminator)
• All four of the state's most recent Black U.S. House representatives — Cleo Fields, Troy Carter, Cedric Richmond and William Jefferson — testified. Civil rights activist Leona Tate also spoke.
• Carter, Mayor Helena Moreno, City Council and the Orleans legislative delegation host a town hall at Dillard tonight to discuss redistricting and voter rights. (Facebook)

🗳️ Early voting: 8.4% of registered voters cast ballots already for Saturday's primary, according to data yesterday from the Secretary of State's office.

• More than 42,000 votes were cast before Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the House elections, which are still on the ballots. (Illuminator)

🏛️ The New Orleans City Council holds a special meeting today (livestream) to appoint an interim city clerk and call a special election. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

• Meanwhile, Calvin Duncan's legal challenges continue.

Essence Fest, billed as the country's largest celebration of Black culture, returns to New Orleans on July 4.

Friday: Cardi B makes her Essence debut this year. She headlines with Latto, Kehlani and SZN4.

Saturday: Brandy and Monica headline with Patti LaBelle, Leon Thomas and Josh Levi.

Sunday: George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic headline, bringing their Mothership stage prop back to New Orleans for the first time in 50 years.

• Babyface, Public Enemy, Big Boi, Doug E. Fresh, Scarface, Big Freedia, Leon Thomas, Nona Hendryx and Durand Bernarr will also perform.

The intrigue: Organizers say additional voices will be announced later.

What's next: The performances at the Caesars Superdome require tickets, while workshops and events at the convention center are free with registration.

• Single night tickets go on sale Wednesday.

🚍 The RTA board took steps last week to remove CEO Lona Edwards Hankins and begin a national search for her replacement. (Fox 8)

🙏 Eight children killed in a mass shooting were laid to rest Saturday in Shreveport. (AP)

🛢️ An explosion at a Chalmette refinery is under investigation. No one was hurt. (AP)

🥨 Bratz Y'all is closing at the end of the month, citing rising rent and other issues. (Facebook)

💍 "90 Day Fiancé" debuted its new season yesterday on TLC. The cast includes a New Orleans woman who is engaged to an Egyptian actor. (Press release)