Employers are wary of hiring Gen Z staff as they are dubious about their new style of working, and don’t always feel aligned with the expectations that Generation Z has for the workplace.
With many Gen Z’s prioritizing social values, and flexible working, many traditional employers have yet to adjust to these new, workplace practices.
Furthermore, traditional employers have come to view this demographic as entitled, and work-shy.
Flat Hierarchical Structure
Gen Z prefers to work within a flat organizational structure and isn’t keen on traditional “top-down” chains of command. Younger generations now favor an equal power structure that fosters collaboration, and inclusion within the workplace. However, this is at odds with the management systems of many companies and is disruptive to established processes.
They Lack Experience
The fact that this generation was born between 1997 and 2012 means that they are still quite young, and they haven’t had a chance to gain much work experience. This makes employers reluctant to hire Gen Z employees as they know that they will need extensive training.
Spending Too Much Time on Their Phones
A lot of Gen Z knew how to use a mobile phone before the age of 10, so they are an intrinsic part of their culture and daily habits. Employees get put off by the fact that Gen Z are on their mobile phones checking messages, and Instagram likes every chance they get. It’s not professional, and it’s certainly not productive either.
IT Demands
Gen Z likes to be provided with the latest technology by employers, and it’s common for them to expect to have a brand new laptop, and accessories, including a mobile phone included in their working contract. However, not all employers offer this or use the latest technology, and this can dissuade them from hiring Gen Z staff.
Working From Home
Gen Z has got a bad rap from reportedly “always wanting to work from home”. Traditional employers get frustrated by the fact that this generation appears super reluctant to come into the office. But Gen Z loves working remotely with many looking for careers that allow them to work from anywhere in the world as digital nomads.
Digital Depenance
Gen Z are the digital natives who have been raised on technology from birth in ways no other generation has been. While this gives them excellent tech skills, it also means that they’re more reliant on IT than other generations which can be a disadvantage. For example, employers value employees who don’t automatically turn to AI to help solve problems.
9 – 5 Working
While older generations seem to like the routine of traditional 9 – 5 day jobs, Gen Z do not. Younger generations see 9 – 5 as a rigid working schedule that is too restrictive for a healthy work-life balance, and they lobby employers for flexible working as a standard practice.
Job Jumping
Traditionally, older generations considered getting a “job for life” as the right path to follow, and changing jobs often, was frowned upon. But now, younger workers see staying with one employer too long as a negative, instead valuing a diverse skillset, and range of employment experiences over staying in one place. This can put employers off hiring Gen Z staff as they want employees who will stay long-term, and not hop to the next job after a few months.
Skills Gap
There is a skills gap between what lots of jobs require, and what Gen Z can do. While many jobs in manufacturing, and construction are more hands-on, Gen Z is disproportionately equipped with digital skills and not enough vocational training to fulfill the needs of many employers.
High Expectations
Younger workers now have additional expectations of their employers which include attention given to their personal growth, and well-being. Gen Z see work as an influential part of their lives, and therefore look for employers who will invest in their personal development, and treat them as a whole person, not just an employee, or a number.
Bringing Social Values to Work
Traditional employers believe that the workplace is a professional space where all employees should remain impartial, and refrain from expressing any political, or personal views, however, Gen Z actively seeks to bring their social values of egalitarianism, diversity, and inclusion into the workplace. This might upset the established culture within a company and therefore can deter employers from selecting Gen Z candidates.
Work Ethic Assumptions
Many employers rightly, or wrongly assume that Gen Z isn’t as hard-working as more mature staff, and they view them as always trying to take the easy way out. Unfortunately, this doesn’t bode well for Gen Z candidates as they are perceived as being less productive.
Monthly Check-Ins
While traditional employers operate standard practices around annual performance reviews, Gen Z likes more regular feedback, with many requesting monthly check-ins with their managers. For some employers, this is a logistical nightmare, as they have to restructure established processes from once per year, to 12 x per year, for every employee, and it’s just far too time-consuming.
Ethical Standards
Gen Z wants to ensure that their employers are operating within ethical business standards, particularly regarding sustainability, and social responsibility, and while of course, ethical practice is important, businesses are often more concerned with satisfying their customers and increasing productivity.
Too Much Flexibility
Gen Z prioritizes flexible working schedules, they don’t like to be restricted to working between certain times, or from certain locations, and this doesn’t always match the needs of a business. Therefore, some employers are put off employing younger workers with these expectations.
Work-Life Balance
While traditional employers used to think about work that facilitated families, Gen Z thinks about families that facilitate work, and their entire perception of how employment should fit around their lifestyle is at odds with some employers' beliefs. Gen Z looks for work that’s flexible around their needs, home life, and responsibilities, which is too progressive for some employers.
Environmentally Friendly
Gen Z arguably cares more about the environment than any other generation, and they’re passionate about promoting environmentally friendly work practices. Although this is a positive thing, not all employers have the time or resources to address Gen Z’s environmental concerns in the workplace.
Unprofessional Dress Codes
Gen Z is reluctant to conform to the traditional dress code of wearing a suit and tie to the office. Instead, younger workers see this as an outdated norm that is too restrictive, and they prefer to wear comfortable clothes that allow them to express themselves while they work.
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