Generation Z entering the workforce — what to expect?
It’s a natural process that together with a world becoming more modern day by day people are changing too — one generation replacing the previous one. Despite various distinctions it is essential to understand each other especially in a working environment. As a new generation called Generation Z or, in short, Gen Z are little by little entering the labor market perceiving their features and habits becomes necessary. So, what do you need to know before welcoming Gen Z’s to your business?
WHO IS GEN Z?
Everyone born from 1997 to 2010 (the years could fluctuate a bit depending on different studies) is considered as a member of Generation Z. These people are known as friends of technologies because they grew up with smart phones in their hands, they can’t imagine life without the internet, social media and digitalization. Imagine not knowing life without technology — that’s what Gen Z is at its core. Gen Z consumes lots of content every day from all over the world and it results in formation of new kind of views on various situations. Indeed, they are cosmopolitans, more open-minded and more tolerant to minorities.
GEN Z WORLD OF EDUCATION
Generation Z is keen on knowledge and education, they enjoy developing new skills and using their creativity as an everyday activity. Those hobbies make them more intellectual and innovative than previous generations. Gen Z’s are more likely to land a job where they can use their creative thinking, or even often they will choose to develop business of their own. If they decided to work for others, they would rely on employer who could offer promotion opportunities or regular training courses for self-improvement.
THEY CHERISH OUR PLANET
When living in consumer world Generation Z is more concerned about what is happening as consequences of it. They are more socially responsible and can require the same act in their work environment. Don’t expect these clever youngsters to choose a workplace which doesn’t support green ideas, reduction of air pollution, cultural diversity, gender equality and etc. Global problems are a significant part of their lives, so they love supporting businesses that shares those values as well.
YOUR WORKSPACE WILL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
These days when our world is constantly changing and improving people must adapt to various whirlwind conditions in professional world very quickly. This led to flexibility as a dominant feature in Gen Z’s life and this is naturally expected addition to their job. For instance, employer should not be surprised for Gen Z employee asking for unusual working hours or permission to stay at home and work from there. Indeed, if you want the most productivity you can get for your Gen Z — this is a way to go. The latter request is more possible now than ever when studying and working online has become an everyday activity of majority of people during COVID-19 pandemic.
INDIVIDUALISM OVER GROUPS?!
Imagine saying this to Generation X manager. Moreover, Gen Z is undoubtedly the most individualistic generation compared with the previous ones. Scrolling through social media, communicating online is how they choose to spend their free time. Also, they are focused on themselves as individuals, want to change the world on their own and discover their uniqueness. They would achieve better results working in private than in shared offices. Accordingly, these people don’t need a supervisor in their work environment instead they need a leader who will give feedback, inspire and motivate them. In other words they would love the modern Scandinavian work culture, it would be the best circumstances for improving their results.
BUT DON’T GET THIS WRONG…
Even though members of Gen Z are assumed as individualists they love maintaining great relationships with colleagues. Social media can offer a lot of negative information which generate bad thoughts, emotions and potentially could lead to depression. That’s why Gen Z is longing for those face-to-face interactions, that fresh communication. According to research even 72% of Generation Z members prefers that kind of communication in their workplace. Thus, it is one of the key elements of their labor productivity.
Now it’s clear as day what kind of individuals are representatives of Generation Z. If your business assure digital solutions, flexible working schedule is not a new thing in your office, you are not indifferent of social problems and can motivate your employees then you are ready to greet Gen Z with your hands open wide.
