A shocking new study reveals a brewing storm in the American workforce, and the finger is pointing squarely at the newest generation on the block.
In today’s ever-evolving job market, employers are facing an unprecedented challenge, a generation of workers deemed the most apathetic and hypersensitive yet. Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are being reported by their superiors as “lacking in motivation” and “easily offended,” causing a significant talent deficit. The recruitment firm ResumeBuilder recently published a study that sheds light on this alarming trend.
In this survey, which saw participation from around 1,300 individuals, the numbers painted a stark picture. A staggering 74% of respondents identified Generation Z workers as more challenging to manage compared to their older counterparts. Employers are finding it hard to comprehend and manage the behavior exhibited by this youngest workforce.
One such testimonial came from Alana, a millennial who has been employed since her early teens. She expressed disbelief at the work ethic, or lack thereof, displayed by Gen Z. One instance that left her shocked was when a job applicant attended an online interview lounging in her bed, dressed in a hoodie and tracksuit.
The lack of professionalism was further highlighted when the applicant responded with a curt ‘good’ to the interviewer’s casual inquiry about her well-being.
Another employer, Omar, shared his struggles with finding a suitable Gen Z candidate for a receptionist position at his GP practice. He found the lack of basic courtesy and communication skills in Gen Z candidates alarming. According to him, they are more interested in their smartphones than engaging in essential interpersonal communication. He nostalgically recalled his older receptionists as the best ones.
On the other side of the spectrum is Nadia, a Gen Z worker who has worked eight jobs in the last year. She is in constant search of the perfect balance between work and school. While this relentless search for balance might be admirable, the high turnover rate reflects poorly on the work ethic of Gen Z.
The tech industry, a sector that should theoretically thrive with Gen Z’s natural proficiency with technology, is also struggling. Although these young workers understand the industry’s dynamic nature, their lackluster work ethic makes retaining them a challenge. The ResumeBuilder study found that 39% of Gen Z workers lack tech skills, 37% lack effort, and another 37% lack basic motivation.
Akpan Ukeme, the head of HR at SGK Global Shipping Services, admitted his struggles with managing Gen Z employees. In his words, interacting with Gen Z can be “exhausting” due to their lack of discipline and their propensity to challenge authority.
Source: AWM