Gen Z employees can be viewed negatively in the workplace — we are assumed to be lazy, chronically online, self-centered, and co-dependent. But we also have many redeeming qualities that can be beneficial in the workplace.
As a member of the younger generation, I instead offer some of the beliefs, values, and difficulties Gen Z workers face, as well as what employers can do to better support and encourage the younger generation!
What we believe about work:
Gen Z is driven to be successful and is motivated to work hard. With these things in mind, there are a few mindsets we have when it comes to the work we do.
“Think smarter, not harder”: While this may seem like a lazy mindset, it’s quite the opposite. Gen Z is full of forward thinkers who work hard to get things done efficiently and effectively. We don’t spend a lot of time overcomplicating things, and instead find immediate solutions to problems. By “thinking smarter, not harder” we are determined to find the best possible outcomes and are willing to experiment with efficient ways of getting work done.
The importance of openness and casualness: Gen Z tends to be open about their beliefs, values, and attitudes, and we spend much of our time around other people who are also open. For this reason, workplaces can seem like daunting and “fun-hating” environments that are all work and no play. While this is rarely the case, since Gen Z has an open and casual demeanor, workplaces can seem more intimidating than they really are. That’s why open communication and friendliness is important to Gen Z.
The value of advocacy: As Gen Z makes their way into the workforce, advocating for our needs is essential to our growth and experience. We need to be able to advocate for ourselves to receive the help necessary to succeed. Learning how to advocate builds communication skills and ensures we feel like valued team members who have the same workplace opportunities.
What we look for in the workplace:
When thinking about the kinds of things we look for in our workplaces, our generation is confident about our needs, and we’re usually not afraid to ask for them.
Flexibility: Many of us are students or individuals involved in several activities or busy with other commitments, so flexible scheduling and work hours is important to us. This might look like the desire to determine our own hours and the ability to adjust our schedule or ask for time-off easily.
Remote work: Since the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely has become widely accepted and this is something Gen Z can get behind! Working remotely can be an ideal circumstance for tech-savvy individuals in need of a little more flexibility.
Inclusive/progressive work environments: One thing Gen Z cares a good deal about, is making a difference in the world. The workplace is a great place for Gen Z to do just that, so working in places that strive to impact change helps our generation to find meaning in our work.
What we struggle with in the workplace:
Mental health: In an article from McKinsey & Company, authors report that Gen Z workers are likely to work more than one job at once and receive minimal pay for the work they do. Not only do we work hard at our jobs, but we also work hard at school and in our relationships. In combination, these responsibilities can take a toll on the mental health of Gen Z. In fact, 55% of Gen Z respondents identify as having some form of diagnosed mental illness. Mental health issues have the potential to put Gen Z workers behind and impact the quality of their work, so being there to support and empathize with Gen Z is valuable to our well-being.
Finding short-term work: Our generation greatly appreciates short-term work while in college or pursing multiple interests. Summertime is an especially important time for students to find short-term work and establish financial security when we may be unable to during the rest of the year.
Last summer, I started a new position at a café, and it ended up falling through. I then returned to my high school job at a cookie store, before finally finding a new job for the last month of the summer. By the end of the summer, I’d had 4 jobs, some of which had been simultaneous. It was a less than ideal situation, but unfortunately finding short-term positions can be difficult for Gen Z workers.
We are busy people with a lot of commitments, which is why flexibility is essential. That’s one of the many things I appreciate about Your Clear Next Step — scheduling is super easy because they allow me to set my own hours and understand that I have other commitments.
Getting a job after college: Getting a job right out of college, even with a 4-year degree, can be a struggle for Gen Z workers. I’ve heard from countless people how difficult it is to find work in a competitive market where employers often prefer to hire employees with more workplace experience. While finding an first job can seem like a daunting task, there are ways to make the search even better.
So, if Gen Z has specific needs, beliefs, and faces certain difficulties, how can you better support the younger generation in the workplace?
You may have heard the phrase, “It’s just a Gen Z thing” before, and while we do have different workplace experiences, learning to recognize our differences and work to make workplaces more accommodating to the younger generations, is a great step towards support.
Another great way to include Gen Z in your workplace is to hire interns. Internships allow Gen Z workers to get real-time experience without the commitment of a full-time position, and interns help employers fill necessary positions and complete important tasks. As a current intern, I have learned a lot about the demands of the workplace as well as the kinds of things I enjoy doing for work, and the kinds of things that don’t fill me up to the same level. It’s been important for me to come to these realizations so I know the kinds of places I want to work in the future and can already go into those positions with hands-on experience.
Here are some additional ways you can support your Gen Z employees:
- Offer continuous feedback
- Practice flexibility
- Make sure they feel like valued members of your team
- Be encouraging and celebrate their accomplishments
Just because Gen Z has different wants, needs, and desires in the workplace, it doesn’t mean we can’t all work together. In fact, having people who work differently can be very beneficial to the workplace.
Some of the benefits of having Gen Z in the workplace include:
- We offer fresh perspectives
- We are knowledgeable about social media
- We are positive people-people
- We are passionate and hard-working
It can be a challenge to adjust to the needs and wants of different generations, but it’s not impossible. The more we do it, the more comfortable we will be with it and both organizations and workers benefit from our collaboration. As a part of YCNS’s Changemakers Certification Program, our Advanced Collaboration training is one way you can learn more about how to work well with others despite our differences. When we take the time to learn more about generational needs and wants, we learn how to work together better, and build authentic connections with those around us.
