Working Conversations Episode 102:

How Gen Z is Shaping the Future Workplace

What do you know about Generation Z and how they are shaping the future of work?

Gen Z individuals are those born between 1997 and 2012, making up about 20% of the US population. Currently, they comprise only 13% of the workforce, but by the end of the decade they will account for 30% of the workforce.

As the first true digital natives, growing up with smartphones, iPads, and laptops as part of their daily lives, Gen Zers brings a unique perspective to work. This generation also values security, planning for the future, and selecting college majors that are highly employable.

Moreover, Gen Z individuals value diversity and inclusion, reject racial inequalities, and recognize the importance of acceptance of different races, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations in the workplace. They are more open-minded and liberal than previous generations, with fluidity in gender being more acceptable, according to a comprehensive study by the Pew Research Center.

While they comprise only 13% of the workplace so far, they are already driving significant change in the workplace, from seeking employers with similar values to those that offer a hybrid workplace to demanding work-life balance and equality for all employees. 

This generation doesn’t value loyalty, however. Gen Z will leave if their needs aren’t met. They are also known as a generation for ghosting interviews and the first day on the job.

That’s why it is critical that we understand and anticipate not only how to attract and retain them, but also what impact they are having on work and the evolution of the workplace.

In this episode, join me as I examine the ways in which Gen Z is transforming the workplace and what this means for the future of work. 

Listen and catch the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch it and replay it on my YouTube channel, JanelAndersonPhD.

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