Gen Z Employees: Challenges and Strategies for Employers

Gen Z Employees: Challenges and Strategies for Employers

Gen Z employees are the newest generation to enter the workforce, and they’re bringing with them a unique set of challenges for employers. A recent survey of business leaders found that 94% believe Gen Z employees have a sense of entitlement, a poor work ethic, and subpar communication skills. Additionally, 74% of managers find Gen Z employees harder to work with than employees of other generations.

So, what’s the problem? Gen Z is the unlucky generation that entered the workplace as the pandemic locked it down. Within months of landing their first job, many found themselves furloughed or fired. Years later, when employers hired any available warm body to fill vacant positions, Gen Zers found themselves wooed by needy employers and offered remote work, where their connection to employers was via Zoom.

As a result, Gen Z employees are less engaged at work and less connected to their employers than any other generation. They’re also more likely to report anxiety, depression, and distress.

So, what can employers do to address these challenges? Here are four strategies:

1.

Hire the best of the available Gen Z applicants.

They’re out there. Ask questions that help you determine which employees might want your job, such as “If you had to choose between two jobs, what would lead you to choose one over the other?”

2.

Get your new employee started right.

Outline why you hired them, the role you hope they will play in your organization, and how you want them to interact with you and the team.

3.

Gen Z doesn’t believe jobs offer them a future.

Outline for them a career path that shows them the actions they need to take and the incentives they’ll receive.

4.

Most Gen Zers initially worked remotely, with equally “remote” relationships with their managers.

Meet with them, give them specific, constructive feedback that proves you want them to be successful, and notice when they’re doing the right things.

If employers can successfully implement these strategies, they can create a more engaged and productive workforce. However, if they fail, they’ll likely see high turnover rates and decreased productivity.