Is Gen Z the Most Difficult to Work With?

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0:55Josh Drean:You might have seen recent articles criticizing Gen Z in the workplace, saying they are lazy, entitled, and difficult to work with. In fact, a recent survey found that 79 % of leaders said they find Gen Z the most difficult generation to have in the workplace. Are they really that difficult? Is Gen Z the least hireable generation? Or are we on the brink of redefining the modern workplace? These articles represent the perspective of current leaders. But if you take a moment to listen to the emerging generation, they'll tell you exactly why their expectations are different from previous generations.

1:27Josh Drean:92 % of Gen Z say they would like to discuss mental health at work. 60 % expect managers to care about their well-being. And 97 % of Gen Z want to show their personality in work communication. It's safe to say that this generation has a new perspective on work, one that prioritizes work-life balance, mental health, and purpose. And while these are admirable aims, they can appear to challenge traditional workplace norms. For example, Gen Z sees work as a means to pay for expenses, not a lifestyle. This makes it hard for employers to understand why they are not willing to go above and beyond for a job that likely won't compensate them for that extra effort.

2:01Josh Drean:So before you label an entire generation as difficult to work with, consider maybe companies are failing to adapt to the needs of the modern workforce. You can harness Gen Z's potential by providing growth opportunities, meaningful work, and an inclusive environment. This is how we transform our workplaces for the better. You can learn more about it in our book, Employment is Dead.