Gen Z is emerging from high schools and universities, and they will have a big impact on the workplace. Their expectations and assumptions will alter how communicators craft and deliver messages.
Here’s why.
Gen Zers are digital natives
They are tech-savvy and expect their workplace to be up to speed and fully connected. They don’t have patience for tech lameness.
Gen Zers are entrepreneurial
They intuitively understand the nature and value of side gigs. They see no conflict in working for you while running their own business.
Gen Zers embrace diversity
They view the world as an exciting mix of races, cultures, religions, sexualities, and personal expression. They don’t respect bigotry.
Gen Zers assume flexibility
They blur the lines between work and play. With the implication of quid pro quo, that flexibility goes both ways. They’ll happily work weekends and then expect you to be fine if they take the occasional Tuesday morning to do their own thing.
Gen Zers take mental health seriously
They often feel overwhelmed by the pace and expectations. They experience anxiety and depression, and struggle with loneliness. At the same time, they are more self-aware in these matters and more willing to take actions to address issues than earlier generations.
Gen Zers are progressive
They support sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and the role of government to improve society. They expect their employer to agree and act accordingly, or they’ll likely seek a new employer.
Gen Zers are individualistic
They have grown up in a digital world that has enabled unprecedented diversity and customization of nearly everything, and take uniqueness as a given.
It will be interesting how various companies see the impact of Gen Z. Will they perceive this as a disruption, or a threat? Or will they recognize an opportunity to reconceive the workplace in ways that will benefit everyone?