The contemporary workplace is multigenerational – each generation brings their own set of beliefs, habits & expectations to the professional atmosphere. Such diversity can encourage innovation & new thinking, but it can also cause confusion. Gen Z – the youngest in the workforce – is not like Gen X or Millennials.
I have witnessed in my workplace how the older colleagues sometimes stick to ways of working that aren’t applicable anymore or that Gen Z finds annoying. These habits may have worked in the past but don’t necessarily work for the modern work culture. I will share with you 11 such things Gen Z Wishes Gen X & Millennial coworkers would stop doing.
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Why Stick to 9-to-5?
Gen Z thinks it’s more important to get things done than to be at a desk 9-to-5. And they are sometimes puzzled by why their more senior colleagues are so stuck in schedules. They would prefer the ability to work when they’re most efficient – whether that means sooner or later.
Use Old-School Jargon to Feel “Relatable”
When older colleagues call out “YOLO” or “on fleek” to communicate – it seems a bit coercive. Gen Z cares about authenticity, and not having to pretend to understand their culture. Instead of using old slang, they’d rather coworkers just be themselves & focus on real conversations.
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Dismissing Digital Communication
Emails are handy but Gen Z finds them slower than Slack or Teams. It’s an inconvenience, not a benefit when colleagues tell you to email it all to them. Gen Z wants a chat or a quick update – especially things that don’t take up a thread.
Making Fun of Work-Life Balance Priorities
Gen Z takes mental health seriously – and they value work-life balance. When older colleagues make jokes about Gen Z being “too soft” or “not focused”, that’s disdainful. They don’t interpret it as laziness, but as a way to get out of burnout & feel good about their jobs.
Oversharing Personal Details
Although Gen Z enjoys connecting with coworkers, they prefer keeping conversations professional with light, fun moments here & there. When older colleagues go off-topic with too many intimate details or spill too much during the workday, Gen Z might find it embarrassing & awkward.
Overemphasizing Hierarchy
Gen Z likes offices where everybody is equal & everyone is allowed to bring something to the table, regardless of their title. When older colleagues prefer to lean on hierarchies or formalities, it can be oppressive. They would rather be heard & work together without feeling “less significant”.
Ignoring Inclusive Language
For Gen Z, inclusivity matters & they are on the lookout for how colleagues treat other people. If older coworkers avoid using preferred pronouns or stick to outdated terms, it feels disrespectful. They want the office to be welcoming to everyone & language helps with that.
Avoiding Technology or Automation
Gen Z are technophiles, they understand technology is a way to save time & reduce stress. Older colleagues don’t know new tools, and they remain on the same platforms — and that slows things down. Gen Z wants colleagues to open up to apps or software that might streamline work.
Overloading Meetings
Gen Z doesn’t like meetings over an email. It is a waste of time when colleagues who are older schedule too many meetings or continue meeting without direction. Gen Z workers want meetings to be minimal so that everybody can get to work.
Critiquing Job-Hopping
While older generations perceive job-hopping as unfaithful, Gen Z regards it as an adventure. They think job-hopping makes them grow & figure it out. It’s not fair to be judged for it because the job market has evolved so much in the last few years.
Overusing Passive-Aggressive Phrases
Phrases such as “per my last email” or “just following up” are pointless for Gen Z. They like straightforward communication that is direct and doesn’t come across as aggressive. Simpler messages mean less tension & more clarity.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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