Generation Z & The Workplace: What The Next Generation Will Bring To Your Office
Generation Z and the Workforce
Generation Z, those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, is now entering the workforce. And like their close kin, the Millennials, they’re also throwing a wrench into traditional office culture. However, the way Gen Z approaches work is distinct from Millennials and offers its own benefits. Here’s what Gen Z will bring to offices around the country.
Communication and collaboration
Gen Z is all about building strong connections to the people they’re working with, including their bosses. While Millennials tend to be more independent, Gen Zers want to crowdsource when problem-solving. They want to get feedback and ideas from as many people as possible in order to find the best solution, and they want to do it face-to face. To that end, Gen Z is actually less reliant on technology when it comes to communication than their Millennial counterparts, which makes open-concept offices great for Gen Z employees.
Security over passion
Gen Z employees are more practical than Millennials when it comes to work. While Millennials want to be passionate about their work (even if it is a risky endeavor), Gen Zers are satisfied at a job as long as it is secure and there is room for advancement. Since they grew up in the shadow of the Great Recession, Gen Zers look for financial stability in a position, which means that they are likely to stay with a company for a longer period of time if their needs are met.
Dedication to the world outside of the office
Gen Z will work longer and harder, collaborate more frequently, and navigate your office’s technology easily and efficiently. But they also care greatly about the world at large, and, as such, are motivated to work for and with companies that practice some form of social responsibility. It is not enough for a company to promote equality: Gen Zers want a company that actively looks to make the world a more equitable place.
Generation Z: The best multi-taskers
Gen Z grew up with so many different types of technology at their fingertips that they can easily switch between tasks without losing energy or ability. As such, they’re remarkable multi-taskers and prefer to work on multiple projects. This ability makes them assets for companies who crave more collaboration and like to encourage employee growth in more than one area. Gen Zers are jacks-of-all-trades and look for opportunities to learn more about whatever it is they’re working on, so they also desire mentors across the company to help them round out their skill set. This desire makes Gen Zers excellent members of any company, as they’re constantly looking for ways to improve.
As Generation Z joins the workforce, be prepared to hire employees who can wear multiple hats and want to learn from everyone at their office. In order to best support this generation, give them the ability to focus on whatever catches their interest instead of worrying about the minutiae of running your company. Let EON Office be your partner in all office supply needs so that you can run your business. We take care of the small-item to-do lists so you can focus on the big picture. To form a partnership that supports the needs of your company, contact us today.
