Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—is set to become the largest cohort in the workforce by the end of 2024. But with the growing presence, the young generation is already gaining a reputation for being the most challenging to work with.
A new poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek highlighted that U.S. adults find their Gen Z colleagues tough to work with.
Forty percent of respondents identified Gen Z as the most difficult generation to work with—including Gen Z themselves. But the generation hit back, explaining that young people are prioritizing work-life balance, rather than giving their all in the workplace.
The survey of 1,500 U.S. adults was conducted June 11-12 and asked respondents about their experiences with their work colleagues.
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, and Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, agreed that Gen Z were the worst to work with, with 38 percent and 45 percent, respectively. The older baby boomers and Silent Generation, despite less frequent interactions with Gen Z, agreed at 41 percent.
In contrast, when asked which generation is the best to work with, millennials emerged as the clear favorite, with 42 percent of respondents indicating they are the easiest to work alongside.
But are the younger generation really the most difficult in the workplace? Ajla Brama, a Gen Z business owner, said that her generation’s work practices are misunderstood.
“Gen Z doesn’t put up with the BS of ‘work culture vultures,'” Brama told Newsweek. “We see work as a means to pay for expenses, not as a lifestyle. This makes it hard for employers and older employees to understand our perspective because we’re not willing to go above and beyond for a job that likely won’t compensate us fairly.”
Read more at Newsweek.com
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