The stereotypes about Generation Z in the workplace are familiar by now. They are rebellious. They don't accept instruction or criticism. They are overly demanding and feel entitled to special privileges. Their work ethic is poor. A lifetime of coddling has made them lazy and unwilling to make sacrifices.
Gen Z workers are often accused of having inflated egos and unrealistic expectations, believing they shouldn’t have to prove themselves before being promoted or earning a high salary.
These stereotypes are caricatures that separate and cause unnecessary conflict between the generations. In reality, Gen Z workers are highly motivated, curious and creative. They can be a positive force for change in the workplace, and all they ask in return is that their employer respects them and plays fair.
Recent research has shed light on the attitudes of Generation Z, and makes it clear that they’ve gotten a bad rap. Here’s the truth about what Gen Z workers are seeking in a career. Hopefully, it will help dispel some of the myths and enable managers to support their performance at the highest level.
1. To learn, grow and advance
When taking Truity’s True Generations Test, which is designed to identify people’s values to evaluate which generation they most align with, Gen Z respondents are more likely than any other group to express strong agreement with this statement:
“Career advancement and future success are always on my mind.”
Does this sound like the attitude of a generation of “lazy girl job” slackers trying to do just enough to get by? That’s a rhetorical question, because the answer is, ‘of course not.’ Gen Zers are always thinking and planning ahead and they are ready to work hard to achieve success in their careers.
But wait, some of you may be saying. Gen Zers may want to advance and succeed, but that doesn’t mean their expectations about how much work this involves or how fast it can happen are realistic. And yes, some Gen Zers probably underestimate how long it will take them to reach their long-term career goals. But this is caused by their lack of experience, not by an exaggerated sense of their own brilliance.
When answering surveys, Gen Z workers express an eagerness to develop their skills and increase their knowledge by attending workshops, taking specialized classes or continuing education courses, going back to school to earn more advanced degrees, or learning under the guidance of more experienced mentors. They know they have a lot to learn and are ready to do what it takes to get ahead, regardless of how much time and effort it requires.
2. Long-term job security and stability
One curious charge made against Gen Z workers is that they’ve had it too easy, which leaves them unprepared for the competitive environment of the modern workplace. But over the last couple of decades, this generation has lived through enough social, cultural and economic turmoil to last a lifetime, which explains why they’re generally more anxious about the future than other generations.
Some are old enough to remember the Great Recession of 2008, which caused a global economic meltdown their parents may have struggled to cope with. All obviously lived through the Covid-19 pandemic, which interfered with their educations while causing job loss and inflation. They’ve heard constant warnings about the threat of climate change and feel a responsibility to be a part of the solution. They have seen the rise of AI, which has seemingly put entire job categories at risk for elimination. More than any other generation, they’re burdened by a lot of student loan debt, a consequence of the constantly rising cost of a college education.
This is not the picture of a coddled generation. What they’ve lived through suggests the future is always in doubt, which is why they list job security and stability among their highest priorities. It’s also why they might be skeptical of being told they must start at the bottom and work their way up. They would rather find a job that offers good pay and clear opportunities for advancement right out of the gate, to avoid being stuck in a dead-end job that could disappear overnight.
3. A work environment where the gold standard is teamwork and mutual respect
There is a perception that Gen Zers think they should proceed to the front of the line ahead of workers with more seniority, simply because they’re so well-educated and tech savvy. But while they are ambitious, Gen Z workers have no desire to get ahead at the expense of their co-workers. They understand that it takes time to rise in the ranks of any profession, and are willing to wait for their turn as long as they know it will come eventually.
Other evidence contradicts the idea that Gen Z workers are self-centered or entitled. In surveys, they express a strong preference for collaborative work and prefer the team dynamic of cooperation where accomplishments are shared. They are also strong advocates for workplace etiquette, meaning they try to treat everyone with respect and consideration at all times (while expecting to be treated the same way themselves).
4. A job that reflects their values, with a socially responsible employer
One of the prime objectives of the Gen Z worker is to pursue a career that reflects and supports their values. They are socially conscious and prize authenticity, and expect the companies they work for to share that orientation. When they believe their employers are interested exclusively in profit, their enthusiasm for their job can disappear rapidly, and they will likely be looking to leave as soon as possible.
Many employers who’ve reported bad experiences with Gen Z employees likely couldn’t convince them that their efforts were making the world a better place. Gen Zers are firm in their convictions, and only want to work for organizations that support diversity, racial justice, environmental sustainability, respect for the rights of workers, and other movements for positive social change. When they see such things are taken seriously by their companies, they will be diligent, dedicated and loyal employees.
There is no reason why companies should be worried about this trait. The views of Gen Z on this are very much in harmony with the concerns of modern consumers, who also expect the companies they purchase goods and services from to be socially responsible.
5. A healthy work/life balance
Some complaints about Gen Z workers misunderstand their efforts to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Gen Zers often saw their Gen X or Boomer relatives invest so much time and energy into their jobs that they ended up feeling exhausted and burned out, and they are determined not to let this happen to them.
This generation expects their employers to honor their desire to have an active and satisfying personal life. This is a priority for them, but they are equally determined not to let their personal lives interfere with their job responsibilities. From the Gen Z perspective, a good work/life balance means not neglecting either side of the equation. They still take tremendous pride in the quality of their work, which is something that those who accuse them of a lack of dedication or commitment don’t seem to understand.
Gen Z On the Rise
The negative stereotypes about Gen Z workers probably persist because they simply haven’t been in the workplace long enough to prove the doubters wrong. It’s easy for the misconceptions to spread and flourish when the subjects are still in the process of establishing themselves, as the eager and earnest Gen Zers certainly are.
Thankfully, more and more employers are starting to discover what an asset Gen Z workers can be. Their influence can be extraordinarily positive when they feel aligned with their company’s goals, and when they feel supported by the company as they pursue their individual goals. They possess some attractive and constructive traits that should be prized by all organizations, since these traits nicely complement the strengths of workers, managers and employers from other generations.
