On our ‘Engaging People, Powering Companies’ podcast last week,

Amrit was joined by our very own Katie Arnell who is our Marketing and Business Support Manager here at &Evolve. Katie is of Generation Z, and Amrit welcomed her thoughts and musings, in the hope of helping the world understand more about this generation that has in some cases been getting a bad rap!

Amrit has written and been asked to contribute to articles about Gen Z over the past couple of years and has always maintained excitement rather than frustration around what they bring to the world. With he and I both having offspring that fall into this age group, and with Katie as an integral part of our organisation, helping us keep our finger on the pulse, we are pretty passionate about being a supportive voice for our young! So, what did this conversation with our Katie help us understand about Gen Z?!

Perhaps first off, they bring with them to the world of work, a fresh (and dare I say refreshing) perspective, free from some of the old, preconceived ideas of previous generations and an openness to try different things. Historically, people were more bound to what they (we!) expected work to be, with clearer career trajectories (there was a path), and the expectations of what having a job would provide for us in society.

Generation Z are having to approach their careers with more of an open mind and a willingness to explore different paths. This could result in them adapting quickly to changing situations, roles, and responsibilities, helping them be far more flexible and resilient than older generations. And it feels like, for them, there is a view that variety is the spice of life, and if it doesn’t work out, well then there will be something else to try instead! Generation Z seem to value gaining experiences and learning new skills, which helps them develop a growth mindset, which is so critical if we want innovative workplace cultures.

This could help with something else they value greatly – work-life balance. In fact, this seems to be a defining characteristic of this generation and one that I can absolutely get behind. Perhaps us oldies have developed with a belief that working long hours, was critical to career advancement, and we did this at the expense of our personal wellbeing. Maybe we can take a leaf out of Gen Z’s book, who know how to set boundaries to make sure that what they do for a living doesn’t encroach on their personal lives.

In our podcast, Amrit asked Katie which of the views and perceptions of Generation Z really grated on her, and her answer – “that we are lazy”. Perhaps it isn’t that our young people are lazy, but that instead they have witnessed the burnout and stress experienced by previous generations, which has led to mental health conversations being more prominent in the workplace. That actually, feeling well mentally, is more a measure of success than some of the more traditional things we would have considered successful previously. And let’s face it, no matter how many hours people plug away at work, it’s still a pipe dream for many of our Generations Z’s to become homeowners and be financially stable.  

It is no secret that this generation are having to navigate financial challenges and will find it much harder to achieve the financial milestones of their predecessors, however that doesn’t deter them from living a balanced life. Higher salaries, but longer hours and more stress just might not cut it for people in the workplace committed to setting boundaries to protect their quality of life. There is a quote that I love from Prentis Hemphill that says, “boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously”. Generation Z are not going to sell their health and happiness for a house. Quality of life seems to be more important than financial success. Imagine though if they could have both!

This brings me to notice a difference in the values of those in Generation Z to their predecessors. Where we might have valued financial security and job stability, Generation Z seem to place greater importance on personal fulfilment, mental health and whether their employer of choice is a good fit for them. Are they aligned? Do their employers help them live a fulfilled and purposeful life? Generation Z feels more likely to support and stay with employers who demonstrate a commitment to positive social and environmental impact. That support inclusivity, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. And thankfully too. Maybe they are seeing the state of the world and realise that they are the ones to help change it. It is their future and their children’s future after all.

Maybe it is their clarity of what is important, and their clear setting of boundaries, that prompts some to label them lazy, entitled and demanding. Maybe we just need time to get used to a new way of working and being, that supports our personal time and wellbeing. As Katie says, ‘working to live not living to work’. Maybe this shift in generational culture is all about helping us humans survive and thrive doing so.

I for one would like it if my son, and indeed all our young people, could find a role and an employer that respects the right to disconnect from work outside of office hours, to have fair compensation for overtime, and that advocates reasonable working hours. Alongside that, that also helps create an environment where job satisfaction is expected, work is meaningful, and that this generation have the support to make a positive impact on the world.

So, employers of our next generation, can we do more than expect them to be happy with financial reward alone, and alongside competitive, fair salaries, think about how we can create a working environment that offers opportunities for growth, social and environmental contribution, and a very nice work life balance? The world needs it.

To Katie, thank you for taking the time to help us oldies understand the world of work from your perspective. And to all of you of this wonderful generation, keep setting boundaries and demanding more, so we have a chance to readdress some of the things that just aren’t okay or healthy. We can do better with your help.