When a young nurse in Nairobi says her colleague is “giving night shift vibes,” it’s not a medical diagnosis. It is a TikTok-inspired way of saying they look exhausted.
And the phrase is quickly understood by peers – no further explanation needed.
Across Nairobi’s offices, hospitals, studios and courtrooms, Gen Z professionals are bringing a new language and culture to the workplace—one shaped by TikTok, memes, emojis, and fast-moving internet trends.
This digital dialect is transforming how colleagues communicate, relate, and even challenge authority—sometimes to the delight of managers and other times, with a raised eyebrow from HR.
“It’s like we have a different language,” said Doreen Kananu, a studio technical operator in Nairobi.
“Memes, slang, emojis—these are part of how we speak at work. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it feels natural. But sometimes our jokes fly right over the heads of older colleagues, and that creates a communication gap.”
Quiet codes and digital camaraderie
Doreen notes that while her own office leans more traditional, Gen Z employees still manage to carve out their own spaces, usually in private chats or subtle glances during meetings that spark silent laughter.
“Even if a full-blown TikTok trend doesn’t make it into the studio, you’ll catch us bonding over a phrase or GIF from last night’s viral video. It’s quiet, but it’s there.”
Whether it’s phrases like “It’s giving…”, emojis replacing full replies, or short TikTok skits used in place of traditional role-play training, young professionals are not only changing the medium, they’re softening the tone of workplace communication.
Formal emails are now often peppered with humour and casual language. Work WhatsApp groups are more visual than textual. And a single emoji might convey more meaning than a three-paragraph response.
Memes, emojis, emotional self-care
This shift is most apparent in high-pressure environments, where social media culture serves as a coping mechanism.
Prince Victor, a nurse in Nairobi, says the impact has been both subtle and powerful. “We, younger nurses, rarely speak in full sentences anymore,” he says with a laugh.
“It’s all slang, trending sounds, or a meme that perfectly captures the moment. If I look tired, someone will say, ‘You’re giving night shift energy’—and we all get it.”
Victor believes that TikTok and other platforms have helped humanise healthcare workers.
“A lot of what we see and do every day is emotionally taxing. But using humour and digital shorthand helps us decompress. A funny sticker, a video reply, even a meme…it’s not just silliness. It’s emotional self-care.”
He adds that even senior staff are starting to catch on. “I’ve heard one of our supervisors say ‘soft life’ in a serious meeting,” he chuckles. “That was wild. But it shows that the language is spreading and evolving.”
Decoding the lingo
Wanjiru Kiarie, a radio and TV producer, sees the shift playing out in her workplace. She has become the unofficial “Gen Z translator,” often called upon by older colleagues trying to decode internet lingo.
“You’ll hear me say, ‘It’s giving some good story realness’ when describing a good story pitch. My Gen Z colleagues get it instantly. But when the millennials ask what I mean, it turns into a mini language lesson. It brings us together in a weird way.”
She adds that TikTok references often leak into team banter, especially during high-stress periods. “One time I came in late, and the jokes didn’t stop for a week. I was told repeatedly that being late was ‘neither cutesy nor demure.’ That phrase followed me everywhere.”
While social media has softened walls between juniors and superiors, it has also created new dynamics around power, tone, and leadership.
Brian Muema, a young Nairobi-based lawyer, says that when he started his job, he expected a rigid workplace of formal emails and quiet corridors. Instead, he found a team that operates more like a meme hub than a legal chamber.
“If someone sends a long email, they’re getting roasted,” he notes, half-seriously. “Sarcasm flies faster than legal jargon, and TikTok lingo is standard communication now. I’ll say things like, ‘This campaign is giving major success energy’ and everyone nods along.”
Brian sees this as a positive development. “It makes feedback more digestible. You can critique someone’s work with a joke or a TikTok reference, and it lands without bruising egos. That wasn’t the case in older, more hierarchical setups.”
However, he warns that this informality can sometimes blur the lines. “It’s easy to slip into too-casual territory,” he says. “There’s a fine balance between being relatable and being unprofessional. Emotional intelligence really matters.”
Like others, he also recognises the downside of always being ‘switched on’ to the internet. “There’s a pressure to keep up with trends, to know the latest meme or sound. It’s exhausting. And sometimes, important messages get lost in the noise.”
Emoji as emotional punctuation
Margaret Kyalo, a medic, says TikTok has changed not just how she talks, but how she relates to her colleagues.
“These days, I’ll describe a hectic shift as ‘lowkey chaotic’ or say a patient was ‘a lot. And I don’t even realise I’m doing it. It has become normal.”
Margaret notes that emojis are now a form of “emotional punctuation. If I ask someone to cover my shift and I don’t add a sad face or something, it feels cold or blunt. Emojis soften the request.”
But not everyone is fluent in this digital shorthand. She recalls a moment when she said, “That’s not the vibe,” in front of a senior nurse. “She just looked confused. I had to backtrack and rephrase. Since then, I save that language for our Gen Z-only group chat.”
That group chat, she says, is a lifeline. “It’s where we decompress, rate our shifts using TikTok-era references, and just speak freely. One time someone said a rough shift gave ‘2016 nursing school energy’ and we all almost fell down with laughter. That phrase still lives rent-free in our chat.”
From a management perspective, TikTok effect is a double-edged sword.
Managing the meme generation
Anne Muhoro, HR Manager at Jessekay Hospital, has seen both the benefits and the challenges of the social media shift.
“TikTok encourages creativity, connection, and learning. Our young professionals use it to share mental health tips, patient care techniques, and even personal stories. It’s made our staff more visible, more human.”
Anne admits that TikTok has even helped in recruitment. “Our content showcasing wellness routines or day-in-the-life videos attracts younger talent. They want workplaces where they feel seen.”
However, the risks are just as real. “We’ve had cases where content creation starts interfering with core responsibilities. There’s also the issue of confidentiality especially in healthcare. One viral clip can create a storm.”
To manage this, Jessekay Hospital provides social media training and clear digital policies. “We don’t ban TikTok, we guide its use. We channel the energy instead of suppressing it.”
As Gen Z continues to enter the workforce in droves, one thing is clear – the rules of engagement are changing. Work is no longer just about getting the job done, it’s also about how people feel while doing it.
Maybe, the future of work won’t come wrapped in a three-page memo, but in a 30-second video, a perfectly placed emoji, or a clever phrase that simply says: “It’s giving growth.”
