"Not my dad's company": Manager shares casual messages from Gen Z employees

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- TikTok user Yami, a manager, shared a series of candid WhatsApp messages she received from her Gen Z employees

- The messages included an employee asking whether calling in sick required an actual phone call, sparking wide debate online

- Yami posted the video on August 18, 2026, and it quickly attracted reactions from viewers praising her management style

A manager who goes by Yami on TikTok has gone viral after sharing a collection of WhatsApp messages from her Gen Z employees, offering a candid look at how the younger generation communicates with their supervisors at work.

Yami posted the video on August 18, 2026, captioning it:

"Messages I get as a manager with Gen Z employees," accompanied by a series of screenshots from her work group or private chats.

What Did the Messages Say?

The exchanges ranged from the unapologetic to the unexpectedly thoughtful. One employee informed Yami they would arrive late but softened the news by adding they were bringing her favourite drink.

Another sent a message at 11:24 reading, "Gonna be 2 minutes late, it's not my father's company and stuff," a line that drew particular attention from viewers.

A separate employee named Jehaan messaged at 10:30 to say:

"Yoh ima be abit late this taxi stop everywhere," while another simply wrote "Yami the traffic" followed by a string of crying emojis. One worker sent a message at 08:23 informing Yami she would not be coming in at all, promising to "give you the tea later" and asking her not to be upset.

Perhaps the message that generated the most online discussion was a straightforward workplace query: "If I am calling in sick, do I need to actually 'call?' Let me know."

Watch the TikTok video that sparked the conversation:

How Did Viewers Respond?

The post attracted a wave of responses, with many viewers identifying with either the employees or the manager.

@Ayandah wrote, "These messages say a lot about you, you're a great manager 🙌," suggesting the relaxed communication style reflected positively on Yami's leadership.

@LivingasNat pointed to the "it's not my father's company and stuff" message, commenting, "is so real 🤯🤯," while @Vene zeroed in on the sick leave query: "No valid question do I need to actually call? 🤯"

@GorataNzimande offered a broader perspective, writing, "In a world full of burnout and exhausted millennials, it's refreshing to know the kids have a cool manager."

@MustBeLindor highlighted the drink offer, adding "On the bright side I have your favourite drink" with laughing emojis, while @SiphumezeT220 told Yami directly, "mna funa wena as my manager this clearly shows you cool at work."

@MbonyiweMkhwanazi weighed in on the sick leave question, commenting, "If I call in sick, do I actually have to call — that's a good question," treating the query as a legitimate workplace concern rather than a joke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.