Is Generation Z set to disrupt the workplace?

Students in class (color toned image)
Students in class (color toned image)



The workplace has always held a mixture of age-groups, from the elder statesmen and women at the top, to the young and ambitious new recruits - and there's often been a bit of conflict as a result.

But as people live longer and the retirement age goes up, the generational spread is increasing; and with the world changing faster and faster, the cultural differences between young and old are probably greater than they've ever been before.

As a result, says Ricoh Europe, the generations are potentially on a collision course, and we all need to adopt new ways of working if we are to accommodate 'generation Z', defined as those currently aged 19 years and younger.

Indeed, a survey commissioned by the firm has revealed that more than half of workers say their employers are currently failing to meet the needs of different generations in the workplace.

The survey found that there's already some tension, with 65% of respondents agreeing that there are fundamental differences in how employees from each generation work - particularly when it comes to attitudes, expectations and styles of working.

However, the good news is that the majority of workers from all generations - 88% - believe that having a workforce of different ages is an asset to a company.

"Just like the possibilities afforded by digitalisation, the arrival of Gen Zers opens a catalogue of opportunities to all businesses," says David Mills, CEO of Ricoh Europe, pointing to their skills in connectivity and collaboration.

"Meanwhile, Gen Z's constant demand for workstyle innovation – where an ever-present stream of innovative new technologies, products and processes are the norm – will be a key enabler of vertical market players seeking globalisation."

All the same, older workers are wary, with over a third expecting workplace tensions to rise as Generation Z enters their companies - and the data does to an extent support the stereotypes.

Face-to-face communication, for example, is becoming less popular as Generation Z moves into the workplace. While it's the preferred method of communication for 77% of Baby Boomers, this falls to 58% for Generation Z.

Generation Z is also convinced of its own worth, with two thirds believing they will introduce new ways of working to their employer, and six in ten saying they contribute an openness to new ideas and fresh thinking.

And they have high expectations, too, with 73% believing that their future employer will cater to their needs, compared with only 48% of the other three generations.

"There is no doubt that Gen Z is heading towards a reality crunch and businesses must adapt now," says Mills.

Of course, they may not all end up in mainstream workplaces; a survey late last year from Northeastern University in the US found that four out of ten 16-to-19-year-olds expect to work for them­selves at some point - nearly four times higher than the actual percentage of self-employed Americans.

Most, though, will end up having to work as part of a team. And employers in the UK say that this generation often lacks basic workplace skills, spending too much time fiddling with their phones and having a poor attitude to punctuality.

More than half of managers surveyed by Barclays Lifeskills last year believed that school-leavers lacked relationship skills, leaving them unable to handle clients, customers and suppliers.

Almost as many complained about Generation Z using their mobile phone while at work or taking too long on their breaks, and said they lacked time management and punctuality skills.

"Small and medium sized businesses are an incredibly important source of employment, yet this research shows they perceive a disconnect between the skills they need and those of young people at entry level," says head of LifeSkills Kirstie Mackey.

And bosses were even more critical in their comments to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), with almost three-quarters criticising school leavers' business and customer awareness, and six in ten saying they had poor self-management and resilience.

More than half cited concerns over communication and problem-solving skills, 38% said students struggled with basic numeracy and 36% claimed basic literacy and use of English was a problem.

It's worth remembering, though, that much the same criticisms were levelled at the previous two 'generations', Millennials and Generation X, in their time - and most of them seem to be turning out fine.

Indeed, if there's one constant in human nature, it's the tendency to deplore the younger generation.

Take this complaint, for example. "The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise."

The author? The lines are commonly attributed to Socrates, and written more than 2,400 years ago...

Beyond Millennials: How to Reach Generation Z
Beyond Millennials: How to Reach Generation Z



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