Between autonomy and precarization

generation z, digital technologies, and the limits of labor law

Abstract

This article analyzes the relationship between new technologies, transformations in labor relations, and the emergence of new labor subjectivities associated with the so-called Generation Z, seeking to understand the extent to which these elements contribute to the contemporary reconfiguration of labor precarization. Based on a systematic literature review, it examines the characteristics attributed to this generation—such as the valorization of flexibility, autonomy, and purpose—situating them within the broader context of digital capitalism and productive reorganization. It argues that these demands, often interpreted as expressions of freedom and innovation, may also operate as mechanisms for intensifying exploitation and individualizing labor-related risks. In this context, the article discusses the challenges posed to Brazilian Labor Law, particularly in light of the expansion of telework, flexible contracts, and the increasing platformization of labor relations. It concludes that the uncritical incorporation of these new dynamics may weaken legal protections for workers, highlighting the need for a critical approach capable of reconnecting labor regulation with its historical foundations of social protection.