The Effect Of Gen Z in Workplace Culture
Businesses worldwide are getting ready for Generation Z- the fresh, new, and transformative generation at the cusp of adulthood. Generation Z? Who are they?
The “Generation Z” group consists of boys and girls born between 1997 and 2012, so the oldest is 23, and the youngest is 8. Our topic of discussion is all about the seniors in this group- the ones at the threshold of adulthood and currently asserting themselves in the workplace.
So, why should businesses know about Gen Z? Well, they are your future employees who will transform the corporate workplace culture. Statistics say that by 2030, 30% of the global workforce will be Gen Zers. This group is also likely to surpass the Millennials as the most populous generation on earth.
What So Special About Gen Z?
Every new generation is perceived as radically different in their thoughts and actions, and Gen Zers are not new to this scrutiny. However, this generation is more digitally inclined than others. Even the Millennials can’t hold a candle to their digital skills because Gen Z has grown up scrolling with 24/7 access to online resources.
Despite their digital and hypercognitive proficiency, Gen Zers are at the receiving end of criticism and myths. These youngsters are often blamed for their poor attitude towards work and lack of loyalty. How true are these allegations? Is Gen Z lazy? Don’t they have it in them to handle the corporate world?
Fortunately, studies and surveys say that Gen Z could be the most formidable generation to walk the earth, for now. We are looking at a device-totting, digitally hooked generation that is ethnically diverse and ethically conscious than their ancestors.
Amongst their many traits, four things make us sit up and notice them. They are:
Hard-working
Surprised? Well, that’s the fact. A recent study by The Workforce Institute at Kronos Inc. says that nearly one-third of Gen Zers consider themselves the hardest working generation in the workforce.
Highly competitive
Unlike Millennials, who are major team players and value collaboration, Gen Z is fueled by the passion for asserting their individuality. That doesn’t mean they are not collaborative. They are, but they thrive on competition and push themselves to work independently.
Pragmatic thinkers
Many Gen Zers prefer solid, recession-proof jobs. This trait could stem from the fact that many of them grew up watching their parents struggle financially during the Great Recession. It is one of the reasons why this generation is driven by pragmatism and security. These youngsters will go the extra mile to shape their future.
Financially-minded
Gen Z is wary of debt, unlike Millennials, who are quick to fall victim to credit cards and student loans. They are certainly salary-oriented, never hesitating to work hard to achieve better remuneration to secure their financial future.
Considering that the oldest Gen Zers are just 23 years old, it is amazing to see them possess such amazing traits at such a young age. What distinguishes them from the Millennials is their motivation that’s fueled by various factors.
4 Motivational Factors That Drive Gen Z In The Workplace
Gen Z and Millennials are often clubbed together in the same bracket. However, Gen Z’s working mindset and motivational factors put them in a league of their own. This is a generation that’s driven by:
#1. Climate change
Wondering why we’ve mentioned climate change as a workplace motivator? We have our reasons. 76% of Gen Z is concerned about the human impact on the environment. Surprisingly, despite their dependency on digital devices, this generation is research-driven, with the latest updates on climate change at their fingertips. They are highly drawn towards eco-conscious employers and green-focused businesses.
#2. High expectations
Money is a major workplace motivator for all generations, but for Gen Z, it is coupled with the belief that they have to work hard to succeed. 77% of Gen Zers believe they have to work harder than other generations to cope with the tech advancements, the standard of living, and the tighter job competition.
#3. Work passion
46% of this generation believes that working in an industry that they are passionate about is a major motivator. For Gen Z, work passion ranks second, only next to salary, which shows that this generation has no qualms taking up diverse jobs that align with their passion.
#4. Work challenge
Most of Gen Z has grown up in a world full of video games, which seems to have nurtured their spirit to live up to challenges. The emergence of this trait from a young generation is impressive, and it indicates Gen Z has much to offer in the future.
Gen Z has already entered the workplace. The oldest of the generation is the youngest in the world of corporate business. Thanks to their hyper-tech and hyper-connected upbringing, this generation is expected to create ripples in the workplace. The impact and changes of their entry will be profound.
Here’s what you can expect when Gen Z becomes a part of your payroll.
5 Organizational Changes Induced By Generation Z
#1. A blend of human touch and hi-tech
Surprise, surprise! This first and fully digital generation prefers to have a human element while working. Whether working alone or as a team, Gen Z is highly inclined to combine human elements and digital technology. For them, technology is a must, but it’s not enough without the human touch. So, this is one change we could witness shortly.
#2. Preference for video recruitment & employer branding
Want your employer branding to stand out to the Gen Z freshers? Harness the power of YouTube. Remember that this is a generation driven by social media websites and video platforms. That’s where they dwell. Therefore, organizations will probably have to adopt better employer branding tactics rather than resort to employment websites.
#3. Better approach to Learning & Development
Business leaders should remember that Gen Z is younger than Google. Therefore, their approach to problem-solving and knowledge sharing will be radically different. 76% of the Gen Z workforce feel that skills needed in today’s workforce differ from those needed in the past.
#4. Increased Desire for Work-Life Harmony
Having just stepped into the workplace, 28% of Gen Z employees face burnout at work. So, helping these youngsters find their footing and strike an appropriate harmony between work and life will be a critical change for organizations.
#5. Bigger generation gap in the workplace
Did you know that 77% of Gen Z prefers a Millennial manager over Gen X or Baby Boomers? With Gen Z entering the workplace, they bring an increased complexity of managing and working across generations. Organizations will have to address the generational gap to avoid poor communication, collaboration, and engagement.
Human resource leaders have already begun to lay the groundwork for attracting, retaining, and engaging Generation Z employees. If you are still looking for ways to welcome Gen Z into your workforce, here’s how to do:
How To Make Your Workplace Gen Z-Oriented
Make it flexible
No, your old-school rigid rules are not going to work. Your workforce will see an influx of “digital nomads” who prefer alternative modes of working. Trust them to get your job done from anywhere. Hence, it only makes sense to transition to more flexible work approaches if you want to bring in Gen Z talents in the future.
Provide training opportunities
Gen Z is highly attracted by workplace development. Business leaders can capitalize on this motivational factor by providing excellent mentoring and upskilling programs. Besides, Gen Z has this innate thirst to research complex topics through various formats. Do not waste time harnessing this energy and leveraging it when a new technology enters the market. Your Gen Z workforce will master it in no time.
Provide real-time feedback
Much like the Millennials, Gen Z thrives on feedback to succeed, and not providing enough of it can have repercussions. They will suffer professionally, which, in turn, will hurt your bottom line. The solution? Invest in tech tools like Flowtrack to give you insightful analytics about their productivity levels, attendance, and time usage.
Offer promotional opportunities
There’s one thing that you ought to know about Gen Z: If they don’t feel secure in their job, they’ll quit. This is a generation that needs clear pathways for personal growth and achievement. Call that selfish, but it actually translates to your organizational growth as well. Therefore, stop mulling, and provide training and upskilling resources before they jump ship.
Be open to technology
We cannot stress this point enough. Gen Z is the first generation to use wifi and all the latest tech that we now consider indispensable. For them, technology is at the heart of everything, which makes them highly adaptable, adept, and smart. Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, social media campaigns, and HR platforms like could be the things that will feed their tech thrill.
Gear up to welcome Generation Z!
Gen Z’s changes to the workplace might set the grounds for bigger cultural changes that will transform the workplace for the next few decades. Their unique skills, brimming energy, hard work, competitive nature, and never-say-die attitude will be a challenge for some organizations.
It’s never late to start rolling the red carpet for the Gen Z workforce by adapting to some changes like incorporating an HR management platform like HRAPP. Now’s the time to hoist the banner that says ” Welcome, Team Gen Z!!”
Comments are closed.