Is Gen Z an employer’s nightmare?

Published: July 16, 2024 | by Natasha K. A. Wiebusch, Brightmine Marketing Content Manager

Rumor has it, Gen Z is an employer’s nightmare.

Now, most can agree that “nightmare” isn’t the right word. However, surveys have shown that Gen Z is transforming the workplace, and it’s causing some discomfort. In some cases, it’s leading to production losses and poor talent outcomes.

Regardless of how challenging the disruption is, Gen Z employees aren’t going anywhere. They’re here to stay, and employers may need some help adapting to this curious new generation.

Who are Gen Z employees?

So, who are Gen Z employees, anyways? According to the Pew Research Center, Generation Z includes those born anytime from 1997 to 2012. This is the generation following Millennials, who were born between 1981 and 1996.

Gen Z employees are not only the most diverse generation, they’re also digital natives. That is, they’ve grown up with access to high-speed internet, iPhones and other advanced personal technology. For perspective, Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, when the oldest members of Gen Z were just 10 years old.

They’ve also grown up in a culture where a core component of relationships with other people is social media. The oldest members of Gen Z were just 9 when Facebook became publicly available, and 13 when Instagram launched. When the oldest Millennials were 13, the internet had just become available to the public.

If you’re a Millennial, you may be hearing the far-off sound of dial-up internet.

Because of their experience with technology, social media and other unique events (like the pandemic), Gen Zers have taken a very different approach to work than previous generations. The question is whether this new approach is as bad as everyone says it is.

Is there really a problem?

According to a 2023 Resume Builder survey, three quarters of managers and business leaders (74%) say Gen Z workers are the most challenging to work with. The survey also found that about 1 in 10 managers have fired a Gen Z employee within the first week.

Managers and leaders noted many problems with Gen Z in the workplace. According to the survey, the top four issues managers had with Gen Z professionals include:

• Lack of technological skills.
• Lack of motivation.
• Being distracted easily.
• Becoming offended easily.

In another survey by Resume Builder, 31% of hiring managers admitted that they avoid hiring Gen Z candidates. They noted that in many cases, Gen Z didn’t seem to know how to behave in an interview. In this latest resume, the most notable perceived shortcomings of Gen Z included:

• Entitlement.
• Poor communication skills.
• Tardiness.
• Low engagement.
• Struggling to manage a workload.

The source

This and other surveys show that Gen Z may be struggling to transition into today’s workplace. One key experience that makes Gen Z unique may be contributing to this struggle. Many members of Gen Z experienced the COVID-19 pandemic – and remote work – during pivotal moments in their adult lives. When they should have been enjoying college life and taking on internships or their first jobs, many were secluded in their dorms and apartments.

As a result, many entered the workforce for the first time through their computer screens. This lack of in-person and in-office experience could be making it harder for Gen Z employees to acclimate to work.

Different isn’t always bad

For Millennials, these critiques may sound familiar. Not so long ago, employers were calling Millennials entitled and addicted to their social media. And not long ago, employers were noting that Millennials entered the workforce during the Great Recession. The recession and other challenges changed their perspective on work, which bristled their Gen X and Baby Boomer colleagues.

What savvy business leaders noted then still rings true today: Different is not always bad. Also, just like Millennials lacked experience years ago, Gen Z lacks experience today. And gaining certain workplace skills – regardless of the generation – requires experience.

Instead of seeing Gen Z as a problem, employers are better off working to understand Gen Z’s strengths and motivations.

Tips for working with Gen Z

Whether we’re ready or not, Gen Z is the future of work… or the workforce, that is. The following are some tips for working with Gen Z.

Leverage Gen Z’s strengths

Hiring managers and leaders have mostly worried about Gen Z’s shortcomings. However, they also have important strengths that are great for business:

These and other strengths positively impact the workplace in many ways. They can inspire new ideas and a more empathetic workplace. Importantly, these strengths can support efforts to increase AI adoption.

Understand what motivates gen z in the workplace

To help Gen Z employees feel engaged at work, you need to know what motivates them:

Worth the effort

Adjusting to Gen Z may feel like a full-time job, but it’s well worth the time and effort. By recognizing their unique characteristics, strengths and motivations, you can retain and engage the most creative, tech-forward generation to date.

Are you looking to attract and retain top Gen Z talent? Learn how we can help.