How To Deal with Gen-Z in the Workplace?

Hello LinkedIn, it’s been a while since I have written and a lot has happened since then… I was invited to share at multiple events on “XYZ in the Workplace” and “Thriving in a Multigenerational Workplace”. 

As Gen Z we have been labeled the hardest generation to work with... Rebellious, Lazy, ENTITLED! That’s just the few things that we have been called. 

What if I told you we are not that different from generations of the past? Hint hint, weren’t millennials the hardest to deal with just a while back? 

With Gen Z eventually going to be the biggest demographic entering the workforce, this is not something we can ignore. We know all the quips and stereotypes of our generation. Let me suggest some solutions that you could consider that might help you with your Gen Z colleagues or employees! 

Flexibility

There are a lot of ways you can look at flexibility, it could be working 4-day work weeks, flexible work arrangements (I don’t care where or when you work as long it gets done), or even just flexi hours (coming in at 12 pm and leaving at 8 pm).  

It’s not that Gen Zs don’t want to work, but rather we want to work on our terms, sounds very entitled right? We will get to that soon. We also don’t want to come to work if it means riding through an hour of traffic every morning. Or if you are familiar with the term “this could have been an email”, we don’t want to waste time on non-productive things, honestly, we just want to get work out of the way and move on with our lives. 

Try talking to us, find a middle ground, and maybe have a mix of different work styles, you might even see an increase in efficiency and productivity.  

Ownership & Empowerment 

As much as we want empowerment, Gen Zs are babies in the industry. Empowerment without guidance is just irresponsible leadership. Try to empower us with small tasks first and provide resources and support to achieve it on our own, then slowly increase the difficulty and responsibility. Muscles are not built in a day, Gen Zs are not ready-made products too! I have been the recipient of amazing mentoring throughout and it has been crucial in giving me the skill set and confidence to do what I do today. Just 1% a day compounded can bring exponential growth in the long run.

Remuneration 

“Gen Z are asking for too much pay and don’t work enough, are not willing to endure!” Most Gen Z prioritize 2 things freedom and value, notice I didn’t say money. We want to feel valued at work! 

You will be surprised how many Gen Z’s have another side hustle after work hours… it's not that we are not willing to go the extra mile, we are willing as long as you are willing to pay. With inflation, we are unable to make do with just one income source these days and  A lot of Gen Z’s are super resourceful and if you want us to spend our time for you, you better give us a very good reason to! 

It’s about time we looked at our corporate and work culture in Asia! This generation has been greatly influenced by social media and brought up by parents who have mostly made it, and I’m a beneficiary of that, we do indeed have a safety net! 

Talent, grit and the willingness to work is still there in us don’t get me wrong. Just the way to get it out of us is different, it’s up to us to help each other understand how can we collaboration to push things forward… because before you know it Gen Alpha will be breathing down our necks.

Watch the full panel discussion on the Oddinary Podcast here!

https://www.youtube.com/@OddinaryPodcast?sub_confirmation=1