Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2012, and there are around 12.7 million in the UK. As the baby boomers (or boomers as the younger age group calls them) start leaving the workplace, some of the Gen Z age group are just starting to enter it, and with this, comes a new set of expectations. Some important points to remember are that Gen Z are less likely to stick around than their predecessors, particularly the boomers. There is less commitment shown to employers within this age group, so you need to be prepared to keep them happy. How do you attract and retain Gen Z in the workplace?
Millennials v Gen Z
Millennials are aged 28-43 and they currently make up most of the workforce. Gen Z is set to take over where millennials paved the way, particularly with work and life balance. Millennials were part of the workplace during the pandemic (as were a proportion of Gen Z), and therefore, they have enjoyed more freedom than older generations.
Gen Z Expectations
Freedom is a priority for Gen Z, they want ownership of their work and to be left alone to get on with it. As mentioned, many of this generation would have started their careers during the pandemic, and therefore, they are used to being able to work on their initiative. Unlike boomers, Gen Z is also used to the gig economy. Freelancing and side hustles are something they have become accustomed to, and most of them have probably partaken it at one point or another. Therefore, this is not the generation to micro-manage. If you give your Gen Z employees freedom, they will be more likely to stick around.
Flexibility
Gen Z want flexibility in their jobs, so if you are not offering remote or hybrid options, you will struggle to attract and retain your employees. Many companies provide these options, some even offer flexibility with hours to suit candidates. The good thing from a recruitment perspective is that by offering remote working, you can widen your candidate pool.
Mental Health Support
We used to work in an environment where everyone had to work their hours and get on with their jobs. Thankfully, this has changed and employers (in most cases!) are more accommodating than ever before. There is more emphasis these days on mental health and understanding the changing needs of employees. Gen Z expects employers to have some kind of mental health support system in place.
Diverse Workforce
Gen Z lives in a multicultural environment, unlike older generations, particularly boomers. Therefore, they want to be around different people in the workplace. If you can provide a diverse workforce, you are more likely to be able to attract and retain this generation.
At Aspirare, we work with many clients offering different working patterns. If you are looking for candidates to fill your next role, contact us and our experienced consultants will be happy to help.