<![CDATA[Hybrid working has changed the way employees experience and understand work, particularly among Generation Z employees who are highly familiar with digital technology. This study aims to explore the meaning of work and the existential experiences of Gen Z employees in the hybrid era. A qualitative research approach with a phenomenological design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with Gen Z employees who have experience working in hybrid environments and were selected using purposive sampling. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis, supported by NVivo or ATLAS.ti. The findings reveal four main themes: flexibility and freedom, work-life boundaries, technology and work experience, and meaning and identity. Hybrid working provides greater flexibility, autonomy, and control over work, but continuous digital connectivity can create difficulties in separating work from personal life. The findings also reveal a central paradox between freedom and attachment, where employees experience greater independence while remaining connected to work beyond conventional working hours. The study concludes that work for Gen Z is not merely a source of income but is also connected to identity, relationships, independence, purpose, and personal meaning. This study contributes a human-centered perspective to understanding hybrid working by emphasizing the lived and existential experiences of employees.]]>
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