June 14, 2021

 

Job loss. Furloughs. Pay cuts.

Every age group experienced one – if not more of these – during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, no group was quite as affected as Generation Z (Gen Z). Gen Z experienced more furloughs and layoffs during the pandemic than any other group.

Experiencing this kind of setback could have been crushing to Gen Z, but studies show they are ready to work, and they know what they want from their workplace.

There will be an influx of about 60 million job seekers in the next decade thanks to Gen Z, according to data from Concordia St. Paul University. Although the pandemic hindered this generation of young adults, it did not get rid of them.

What does this mean for employers?

Focus on your message

Most companies will have to change the way they recruit to fit the needs of this wildly diverse and forward-thinking group of younger adults.

According to Lain Thomas Conway, VP of communication strategy and total rewards product manager at Alight, Gen Z is not drawn to things like fun and office perks. To impress this generation, Conway says you need to focus on having a clear stance on current events.

Providing a consistent work environment is very important to this generation and that starts with being consistent in what you stand for as a company. Gen Z is known for being confident in their stance on current topics, and they want to work for a company that mirrors that.

Gen Z wants to see a consistent image of how your company runs and figure out for themselves how they fit into the mix. This can mean any kind of work style if it stays consistent. This also means having a hierarchy of power that encourages individual growth and is not damaging.

Why should employers want Gen Z?

One of the skills Gen Z has to offer is vast experience with technology.

Born and raised in the age of technology, Gen Z has never known a time where technology is not rapidly advancing. According to Luke Pardue, an economist at Gusto, “This is an advantage because they do not have to necessarily upskill to the degree that older workers have to.”

Gen Z is always looking for ways to streamline processes, improve performance and enrich communication. Technology has a great impact on each of these goals.

Since Gen Z is the younger generation, they bring a lot of passion and a strong voice to their work environment.

This kind of young spirit is a great way for companies to revive the overall drive of any office environment. It is easy for experienced professionals to get set in their ways when it comes to work processes, and Gen Z is here to show seasoned employees how to innovate.

Gen Z and Benefits

Currently, most employers are approaching benefits for Gen Z from a traditional standpoint. As you could have guessed, this is not the most successful route.

A study done by Alight shows that 60 percent of Gen Z is currently unhappy with their employee benefits, and preferred annual bonuses rather than medical coverage and PTO.

The things Gen Z employees are most concerned with regarding benefits differ from what employees have valued in the past.

Mental health applications, daily pay features, and fitness and weight management services are at the top of the list for things Gen Z would like to see in their benefits. This is mostly due to the drastic effects the pandemic had on Gen Z’s mental health. When employees feel content in their personal life, they will perform well professionally. This rings true with Gen Z.

Overall, the best thing to offer Gen Z is consistency. Consistency in the environment, leadership and benefits will create a healthy workplace and encourage self-growth within the company.

For more information on promoting excellent mental health and limiting job-related burnout, check out this blog.