Gen Z is simply lazy and does not want to work in office.
Now that is an incorrect statement. Gen Z is not lazy and in fact, according to a research at Indeed, Gen Z have shown more productivity when it comes to technical work. But with regards to the work in the office, Gen Z does seem to hesitate a bit. There are 3 main reasons for this-
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No full-time Office Experience
Change is necessary but not easy to accept. The very first reason Gen Z does not want to work in-office is the mere lack of experience. 82% of Gen Z-ers surveyed by Indeed said they have never worked in an office environment full-time. Of that percentage, nearly all (92%) also said they feel like they are missing out on traditional workplace experiences. And 85% said they worry that they are at a disadvantage. A disadvantage which comes in learning professional “soft skills” due to never working in a more traditional full-time role. Nearly 87% of these 82% Gen Z-ers also said that they will switch jobs if given an option of remote working somewhere else.
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Demand for Flexibility
Offering flexibility, among other benefits, can help companies recruit and retain young people. According to Indeed’s May 2022 survey, 95 percent of Gen Z-ers are thinking and 78 percent are actively seeking for a job that allows them to work from home. In the opinion of these Gen Z-ers, the pros of work from home outweigh its cons. In fact, most young people have started their professional career after the lockdown. Amidst the lockdown, people have grown comfortable working from home. And due to this, it has become difficult for Gen Z who have started their career with WFH to switch to the traditional method.
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Lack of Soft Skills
As mentioned above, Gen Z has started its career in the lockdown. It was extremely difficult for them to get professional “soft skill” training. Helping your employees learn “Soft skills” also helps in maintaining a healthy wellbeing. Here are some things you can practise to improve and hone your soft skills:
– Practice reflective listening
– Respectfully develop relationships
– Adopt practices that encourage inclusivity
– Do your part to contribute to a kind working environment
– Learn to communicate your needs
In conclusion, Gen Z is not lazy but just under aware and scared. Despite their concern more than half of Gen Z -ers surveyed, reported career anxiety. Young professionals don’t appear to be compromising on their values anytime soon. In fact, they want employers whose moral code matches theirs.