It’s always a bit of an unknown how each generation will perform and fit into the “real world” when they move on from high school or college and enter the workforce. Each generation has its own unique experiences, preferences, and styles. Of course, we’re talking about trends identified between generations; within those generations, there is often a wide degree of variability.
The oldest members of Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are in their mid-20s, and this cohort and employers have had several years now to start getting acquainted with one another. So far, it hasn’t been a match made in heaven.
Employers Cool on Gen Z
ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,344 managers and business leaders and found that 74% believe Gen Z is the most challenging and most difficult generation to work with.
Specifically:
- 49% say it’s difficult to work with GenZ all or most of the time.
- The plurality of these business leaders and managers prefer to work with millennials.
- Top reasons employers feel GenZ is difficult to work with is they feel they lack technological skills, effort, and motivation.
That’s bad news for all involved. Like them or not, Gen Z is the future of the labor market. The good news: It’s still early in Gen Z’s entry to the labor force, so there’s still plenty of time to turn things around.
Gen Z Feeling Burnout
It’s important to also recognize that Gen Z doesn’t exactly feel like they’re cruising on Easy Street. In fact, both sides of the employment equation are unhappy with their relationship.
A new global study by Walr in partnership with UKG found significant dissatisfaction among Gen Z workers. The researchers interviewed nearly 13,000 global frontline employees and managers and found that 83% of Gen Z reported being burned out, with over one-third saying they may quit their jobs as a result. In addition, 72% of Gen Z frontline employees say they’ve experienced negative workplace interactions with managers, co-workers, and customers.
The early years of Gen Z’s entry into the workforce reveal significant challenges on both sides. Employers find this new generation difficult to integrate, citing perceived gaps in skills and motivation, while Gen Z workers report high levels of burnout and frequent negative interactions.
As Gen Z continues to shape the labor market, understanding and addressing these mutual frustrations will be crucial. With time, adaptation, and open dialogue, there is still potential for employers and Gen Z to bridge their differences, fostering a more positive and productive work environment for all.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.