{"id":5257,"date":"2024-07-16T08:14:35","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T08:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&p=5257"},"modified":"2025-07-29T12:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:05:13","slug":"is-gen-z-an-employers-nightmare","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/is-gen-z-an-employers-nightmare\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Gen Z an employer’s nightmare?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Natasha K. A. Wiebusch<\/strong>, JD<\/strong>, Brightmine Marketing Content Manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rumor has it, Gen Z is an employer’s nightmare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, most can agree that “nightmare” isn’t the right word. However, surveys have shown that Gen Z is transforming the workplace, and it’s causing some discomfort. In some cases, it’s leading to production losses and poor talent outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of how challenging the disruption is, Gen Z employees aren’t going anywhere. They’re here to stay, and employers may need some help adapting to this curious new generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are Gen Z employees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, who are Gen Z employees, anyways? According to the Pew Research Center<\/a>, Generation Z includes those born anytime from 1997 to 2012. This is the generation following Millennials, who were born between 1981 and 1996.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen Z employees are not only the most diverse generation, they’re also digital natives. That is, they’ve grown up with access to high-speed internet, iPhones and other advanced personal technology. For perspective, Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, when the oldest members of Gen Z were just 10 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’ve also grown up in a culture where a core component of relationships with other people is social media. The oldest members of Gen Z were just 9 when Facebook became publicly available, and 13 when Instagram launched. When the oldest Millennials were 13, the internet had just become available to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a Millennial, you may be hearing the far-off sound of dial-up internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their experience with technology, social media and other unique events (like the pandemic), Gen Zers have taken a very different approach to work than previous generations. The question is whether this new approach is as bad as everyone says it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there really a problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to a 2023 Resume Builder survey<\/a>, three quarters of managers and business leaders (74%) say Gen Z workers are the most challenging to work with. The survey also found that about 1 in 10 managers have fired a Gen Z employee within the first week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managers and leaders noted many problems with Gen Z in the workplace. According to the survey, the top four issues managers had with Gen Z professionals include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n