Picture this: Gen Zers enter the workforce, ready to conquer the world, only to find themselves more "meh" than motivated. What's causing this generation to swap enthusiasm for apathy? Let's dive into the reasons behind Gen Z's workplace woes.
Here are Five Fast Facts on Gen Z’s dislike of work:
- 👎 Disengagement Dance - Recent surveys show that only 31% of American workers felt engaged at work last year…the lowest in a decade! Surprisingly, this slump is driven by workers under age 35, who are now less engaged than their older colleagues.
- 💻 Remote Work: A Double-Edged Sword - Working from home offers terrific flexibility, but it can also lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection, especially for younger employees who need in-person mentorship and social interactions, both personally and professionally. Apparently, they do want to get out of their parents’ basement!
- 📣 Managerial Miscommunication - Only 40% of workers under 35 clearly understand what’s expected of them. This lack of effective communication and support from managers in virtual settings can leave young workers feeling undervalued and disengaged, as if they're shouting into the void.
- 👀 Career Dilemma - Is it possible that young workers simply see more clearly what’s happening in the workplace? Gen Zers have seen their grandparents work in soul-crushing jobs for decades and still be unable to retire, they’ve seen their parents join hustle culture and burn out, and they know that no amount of effort will protect them from sudden layoffs. Is it any wonder they don’t like work and don’t trust their employers?
- 💡 Solution Sizzle - Companies need to rethink how they handle workers, particularly young ones. Fostering better communication, clarity on career progression, and work-life balance is essential. They need to design jobs such that workers want to do them and will find them fulfilling and challenging. Oh, and maybe get their input – and actually pay attention to it – from time to time, too.
🔥Bottom line: And here’s some more food for thought: estimates suggest that last year $9 trillion was lost due to low worker engagement – from high turnover, lower profits, and poor customer satisfaction – and that number will keep rising until companies do something about it.
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