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Gen Z in the Workplace

Ella Baker
Gen Z in the Workplace
Reading time 3 Mins
Published on Sep 19
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Is your company ready for the 61 million members of Generation Z poised to enter the marketplace? Born in and after 1996, the newest generation of workers will surely present their own unique set of challenges for employers. If you can rise to meet these challenges, Gen Z can prove to be a great addition to your company. Read on to learn more about Generation Z in the workplace.

Hiring

Growing up during the Great Recession, the motivations of Generation Z in the workplace vary slightly from their millennial and older counterparts. A mix of job security, financial well-being, the “experience” factor, and flexibility will help you draw the attention of Gen Z talent.

The financial struggles that Gen Z saw their parents endure has led these workers to be more focused on financial security and job steadiness. While millennials tend to be more ideologically driven, Gen Z is expected to embrace a more pragmatic approach to job selection, leaning toward better pay and stability. That is not to say that Gen Z doesn’t care about making a difference, but Gen Z wants to be more involved in the community, while also securing their own financial future.

Gen Z workers will also look more at day-to-day work experience. Looking for careers that challenge and allow them to expand their worldview. From engagement and fun atmospheres to flexible schedules and paid time off, Gen Z will look for a work-life balance that offers growth and security.

Skills gap

While Gen Z will excel with technology and software, they may lack in some of the soft skills like handling calls, face-to-face communications, and customer service. Gen Z workers are fast learners, so the right mix of training opportunities can easily bridge this gap.

Commonly communicating via text and email, rather than in person or via phone, Gen Z may need extra training in positions that require more people skills. Fields such as customer service and sales may pose a particular challenge.

Short YouTub-esque training videos, online tutorials, and training apps for cell phones may be the best way to go about initiating training for Gen Z workers. Gradually transitioning from these to more traditional personal training will ease the training and onboarding process for these workers.

Diversity and inclusion

Just as with millennials, Gen Z will seek out companies that are socially conscious and purpose-driven. The most racially diverse generation in America, Gen Z workers want a workplace that reflects them so will seek out businesses that place an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

In-house equality measures won’t be enough for Gen Z. They will look for employers that engage in equality-based causes in the community as well. Leadership will need to work harder to overcome the cynicism and pessimism that has developed among this generation in order to proof that they are truly committed to the causes that are important to employees.

Let Sheakley help you attract Gen Z employees

Being mindful of and meeting the unique challenges and benefits of Gen Z workers may seem daunting on the surface. Sheakley’s Human Resources experts can assist in the evaluation of your existing employment practices and recommend steps to create a more Gen Z-friendly workplace.

Get your free consultation with a Sheakley HR representative today and find out how we can help you develop policies and procedures to help you attract an increasingly socially aware workforce and that promote gender diversity. Stay up-to-date on all things Sheakley by subscribing to our blog and following us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.


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