Whenever I speak to an organization about multiple generations in the American workforce, the subject of Generation Z is coming up more frequently. To refresh, Generation Z are those who joined us from approximately 1996 through 2010. Like all generations, here is some overlap regarding some of the exact dates.
Like Generation Y Millennials, Gen Z is comfortable with technology. They have grown up in an environment of ever advancing smart phones and digital devices. The youngest members of Gen Z may not even remember any other environment. As of 2016, 77 percent of 12-to-17-year-olds in the United States owned a cell phone.
As Generation Z makes ready to join the U.S. workforce, here are some things we should be aware of to engage them and to retain them.
Major Characteristics of Gen Z
- More racially diverse
- Less traditional (nuclear) family backgrounds, more single-parent families
- More likely to have friends from various ethnic, religious and racial groups
- More risk-adverse
- More inclined to entrepreneurialism
- More religious
- Spend more time online
- Use phones more than television for entertainment
In the workplace, Generation Z expects greater flexibility and the capacity to work remotely, collaboratively and seamlessly across their various devices. Making a meaningful contribution to the world is also important to the cohort. Gen Z individuals expect to have their input welcomed and respected and are less tolerant of authoritarian environments such as a hierarchical corporate culture.
Like all other generations, Gen Z has been shaped by the timing of cultural events they were born into, ie terrorism, school shootings and the Great Recession. At 57 million strong and representing the most diverse generation in U.S. history, they are just starting to graduate from college and will account for 36 percent of the workforce by 2020.
Tips on how to engage and Retain Generation Z Workers
1. Gen Z Always Knows the Score
Members of this generation are competitive. Their competitive nature applies to almost everything, from robotics to debates that test mental fortitude.
They are also accustomed to getting immediate feedback. A great example is the online grading portals where they can get frequent updates on their academic performance. In the past, students sometimes had to wait weeks or longer to receive a test grade. Now, they get frustrated if they can’t access their scores within hours of finishing an exam—and sometimes their parents do, too.
2. Gen Z Are More Like Gen X Parents Than Millennials
Just because Millennials and members of Generation Z are closer in age does not necessarily mean they share the same belief systems. Members of Generation Z are more like their Gen X parents with a skeptical, more individualistic focus.
3. Gen Z Is Financially Focused
Workplace engagement matters less to Generation Z than it did to previous generations. What’s most important to them is compensation and benefits. They tend to be pragmatists who view work primarily as a way to make a living rather than as the main source of meaning and purpose in their lives.
4. Gen Z Is Entrepreneurial
Generation Z believes there is a lot of money to be made in today’s economy. Shows like “Shark Tank” have inspired them to look favorably on entrepreneurship, and this generation is more likely to want to own a business.
Organizations that emphasize Gen Z’s desire for entrepreneurship and allow them to contribute ideas will see higher engagement. They are motivated to win and determined to make it happen.
5. Gen Z Is Connected
Before Generation Z was the more widely accepted name, they were known as the “Selfie Generation” and “iGen.” Gen Z has the power of technology in their hands, which allows them to communicate faster, more often and with many colleagues at one time.
6. Gen Z Craves Human Interaction
Generation Z gravitate toward face to face workplace interactions even as they are mega-connected electronically. They can best be engaged in recurring 1:1 meetings or via weekly team meetings that gather everyone together to recap their achievements.
7. Gen Z Prefers to Work Independently
Noise and lack of privacy could prompt more people to work at home or tune others out with headphones. Since different types of work require varying levels of collaboration, focus and quiet reflection; ideal workplaces incorporate room for both togetherness and alone time.
8. Gen Z Is So Diverse That It Doesn’t Recognize Diversity
Generation Z marks the last generation in U.S. history where a majority of the population is Caucasian. Shifting demographics have taken the focus off someone’s race, religion or other differences. Gen Z sees a diverse population as the norm.
9. Gen Z Embraces Change
Generation Z seriously worries about future prospects. They are less concerned about what ‘typical’ American teenagers worry about, such as dating or cliques at school.
10. Gen Z Wants a Voice
Generation Z seeks jobs that provide opportunities to contribute, create, lead and learn. Gen Z has innate creative abilities to bring together information, process it and take action. Allow them some space to share ideas and hold out the challenge to make great things happen.
So, with a creative, more financially focused, connected and competitive generation about to enter our workforce, are you well prepared to engage with them to get their best? Making the correct adjustments to shifting demographic conditions may mean the difference between winning the war for talent or being put at a competitive disadvantage.
