We often regard Gen Z as the most diverse, technology-driven, and socially conscious generation to date. Gen Zers are the first generation to grow up with mobile phones, the internet, and social media, which has heavily influenced their lifestyle choices. Gen Zers are digitally native, making them inherently tech-savvy and natural innovators.
Gen Zers in the workplace will bring unique talents to any team. They’re driven by purpose and motivated by feedback. Gen Z also values flexibility, prioritising personal wellness over work-life balance. With Gen Z actively joining the workforce, companies must understand how to best integrate this new generation into their workplace for success.
By leveraging Gen Z’s tech-savvy skills and understanding what motivates them, organisations can prepare for a dynamic workforce that can help grow the workplace in an unprecedented way.
Related reading: Clearing 10 Incorrect Assumptions about Gen Z in the Workplace
Characteristics of Gen Z
Generation Z, born after 1996, is poised to significantly impact the future of work. Characterised by their tech-savviness, collaborative mindset, and ambition, this generation brings unique attributes that set them apart from previous generations. Generation X, for example, is often characterised as being independent, sceptical of authority, and often referred to as the “lost generation.”
Gen Zers possess fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to bear in the workplace. With their enthusiasm for technology, Gen Z workers are well-positioned to enhance the use of digital tools and platforms in the workplace. And Gen Z’s collective drive will bring an influx of push for sustainability initiatives in businesses around the world.
By embracing Gen Z’s disruptive mindset within their environment, companies can unlock improved efficiency, greater agility and revenue growth opportunities. Gen Z will profoundly impact our workplaces today and tomorrow, driving advancements in technology while reshaping our thoughts on how we do business.
Related reading: The Future of Work: 8 Trends in Workplace Transformation Report.
Gen Z in the Workplace
Gen Z is a rapidly growing presence in the UK workforce. According to 2022 figures, Gen Zers form 15% of the UK population and 20% of its workforce. Gen Zers, now aged between 16 and 24, have distinct needs and perspectives in the workplace that employers must be aware of. Gen Zers have grown up with technology and often prefer using digital communications to maintain efficient workflows. At the same time, they also value flexible working hours more than Gen Xers or Baby Boomers.
Businesses must keep Gen Z workers engaged so they can thrive in the workplace. This means creating an enjoyable atmosphere, nurturing their interpersonal skills and developing their interests through continuous learning opportunities such as skills-based training sessions or webinars.
Above all else, Gen Z values honesty and transparency regarding how businesses operate. Considering this will go a long way towards facilitating a positive experience for Gen Z in the workplace.
Gen Z’s values and priorities in the workplace
One of the fundamental values and priorities of Gen Z in the workplace is their emphasis on technology and innovation. They are the first generation to have grown up with smartphones and the internet, so they are comfortable with and highly proficient in using technology.
Gen Z brings an unprecedented emphasis on technology and innovation, stemming from their familiarity with modern digital technologies. Gen Z’s comfort with technology is fueling their ambitions for learning and development opportunities; a survey of nearly 50,000 16-24-year-olds found that 63% of them declared that learning new skills was important to them.
Related reading: Embrace Technology to Improve Productivity and Boost the Economy
Work-life balance and flexibility
Gen Z workers bring a refreshingly modern outlook to the workplace, prioritising work-life balance and flexibility above everything else. Gen Z employees are so dedicated to having this kind of flexibility that almost one in three 18-24-year-olds will decline a job offer if it does not have the option for flexible working hours or location.
But Gen Z is willing to go even further for a better work-life balance — three-quarters of Gen Z workers would accept money being deducted from their paycheck in exchange for flexible hours and location options.
Related reading: How to Support Work-Life Balance for Employees: The Ultimate Cloudbooking Guide
Social and environmental responsibility
Gen Z places a notable emphasis on social and environmental responsibility. Gen Zers pride themselves on being the most ethnically and racially diverse generation, recognising diversity as an immense positive asset. By being surrounded by such a wide variety of backgrounds, Gen Zers can gain valuable perspectives, which allow them to be more empathetic and less tolerant of gender or racial discrimination.
Gen Z’s voice also has a positive impact on sustainability efforts. An incredible 73% of Gen Zers are willing to show their support for eco-friendly initiatives by spending more money purchasing from environmentally conscious brands. As Gen Z continues to grow their presence in the workforce, companies should take full advantage of its varied skill set and creative consciousness to help drive positive change within society.
Related reading: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at the Office.
Gen Z, recruitment, retention, and employee development
Offered a greater choice of opportunities, Gen Z is the most likely age group to have changed jobs in the UK over the last two years, with 53% making the switch. This fact underpins a stark reality: organisations fail to keep up with Gen Z’s evolving career preferences and expectations.
Companies must recognise Gen Z as both employees and customers. Key values such as company culture, tech integration, and work-life balance should form core parts of their recruitment, retention, and employee development strategies to access Gen Z’s enormous potential for future growth.
Millennials vs Gen Z in the workplace
Millennials changed the workplace landscape by introducing a stronger focus on technology and a desire for greater flexibility. With Gen Z entering the workforce, those qualities have been amplified. Gen Z has an unprecedented emphasis on innovation and a successful work-life balance.
Many companies are strategically adapting to their new workforce by offering more development opportunities that leverage technology, creating job roles with flexible working hours and arrangements, and instituting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs. Such initiatives give companies an invaluable competitive advantage as they strive for success in the age of millennials and Gen Z.
By catering more towards Gen Z’s tech needs, providing greater flexibility in their jobs and career paths, and strengthening their commitment to social justice initiatives, employers can keep Gen Z employees happy and engaged. Gen Z is undoubtedly influencing the present-day workplace climate – it will be exciting to explore how this impacts future generations.
Related reading: The Benefits of Flexible Working – How Employers and Employees Can Benefit!
The future of work
It’s unlike any other generation before. Generation Z has grown up experiencing a world, unlike the one that came before them. A landscape of ever-evolving technology and rapid changes how companies do business. With Gen Z entering the workplace en masse, employers have to adjust to find success in today’s global economy.
Gen Z is unlike their generational predecessors in many ways. They expect more flexibility than millennials regarding how they approach work and are accustomed to utilising technology in their daily tasks. Companies must anticipate that this younger workforce will expect high levels of support and feedback, instant gratification, and the capacity for innovation unlike anything seen before.
Creativity is an integral part of how Gen Z approaches work, and by accommodating their needs now, employers stand a much better chance at being competitive in years to come.
To stay informed on the latest developments in ethical workplace practices, check out the Cloudbooking blog. Looking for a way to streamline collaboration and communication among your hybrid teams? Look no further than Cloudbooking’s desk booking and meeting room booking solutions. Interested in seeing these tools in action? Reach out to our team to schedule a free demonstration.
