Generation Z is entering the Nashville workforce – here’s what to expect
Forget millennials. The newest generation to hit the workforce is Generation Z and they’re here to stay. What can your Nashville business expect from the newest group of Generation Z workers?
First, who qualifies as Generation Z? There’s no official cut-off date, but for the most part research agrees that the first of these folks were born in 1995. This makes the oldest members in their mid-twenties at the time of this article.
What will these new, young employees bring to your office?
Demographics
Generation Z is “on track to be most diverse, best-educated generation yet” according to Pew Research Center. The Millennial generation was 61% white in 2002 – Generation Z was 52% white in 2018. The biggest demographic change has been seen in the 25% of Gen Z that are Hispanic, compared to just 18% of Millennials.
As the demographics of the workforce change, employers will need to look carefully at their hiring practices. Implicit bias in the hiring process means you are more likely to hire someone that looks and thinks like you. To make sure you’re hiring the best candidates from Gen Z, you should work on eliminating bias from your hiring process.
If your office isn’t actively recruiting diverse candidates, you may alienate younger workers.
Generation Z is used to diversity because they experience it every day. Not only will they be open to diversity in the workplace, they’ll expect it.
Education
The demographic shifts in Gen Z are accompanied by gains in education. Generation Z are more likely to have completed high school and be enrolled in college across all demographic groups. Hispanic young adults made the largest gains, as 55% of Generation Z Hispanic 18-20-year-olds were enrolled in college in 2018 as opposed to just 34% in 2002.
This increase in education corresponds to a reduction in the percentage of young adults and older teens participating in the labor force. In 2018, just 19% of 15 to 17-year-olds were employed and only 58% of 18 to 21-year-olds were employed during the prior year. In 2002, these numbers were 30% and 72% respectively.
By entering the labor force later, Generation Z will be less experienced than members of previous generations in navigating office relationships and the general work environment. This can lead to a lack of confidence in younger employees who are afraid they won’t be taken seriously by their employers or coworkers. On the other hand, Generation Z employees are more likely to have education credentials their Millennial counterparts lacked at their age.
Instead of training on technology and software, you’ll probably need to help Generation Z with 21st century skills, also called “soft skills”, like interpersonal communication, conflict management, time management and more.
Technology & Communication
One of the differences in that is often cited between Generation Z and previous generations is their comfort using technology. As previously stated, this will mean less training on understanding technology in their day-to-day responsibilities. But how will it affect communications in the office?
Surprisingly, given their status as the “tech native” generation, Generation Z prefer to communicate face-to-face at the office rather than using chat or video conferencing. 53% of Generation Z prefer face-to-face communication.
No matter what kind of business you’re in, Generation Z will start to be a part of your workforce. This shouldn’t be scary. Gen Z may be young people with a different outlook than you, but they’re still people.
If you’re an organization that would like to be more connected to young professionals, including the emerging Gen Z workforce, check out YP Nashville. This initiative connects young professionals to organizations in the Nashville area that engage YPs in our community. Learn more here.