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Daily Mail Generation Covid story

ended 22. September 2023

A journalist at the Mail Online is writing a piece today on how businesses/employers are coping with what appears to be a very unique bunch of Gen Z, namely those that were potentially at university during the lockdowns, or have started their careers on a remote basis and are now having to arrive at an office and may be struggling with anxiety, taking instruction from others and perhaps even being open to different opinions. Have you seen examples of this, how should companies/HRs address it and is it leading to more companies to actively look for more senior staff who were used to the world of work before the pandemic normalised WFH? Any thoughts, please send them across ASAP as deadline is tight.

 

3 responses from the Newspage community

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Kate Underwood
Managing Director / HR Director at Kate Underwood HR and Training
It's indeed a unique challenge we're observing. For many in this demographic, transitioning from remote work means navigating uncharted office terrains and managing heightened anxieties. As an HR consultant for small businesses, I recommend:

Enhanced Onboarding: Tailored to introduce remote workers to office dynamics.
Mental Well-being: Offering support and flexible arrangements can be a game-changer.
Mentorships: Pairing Gen Z with seasoned staff can smoothen integration.
While some businesses are considering hiring more experienced hands familiar with traditional office norms, it's paramount to recognize Gen Z's adaptability and tech proficiency. Embracing a hybrid model, which combines remote and in-person work, might just be the future for many small businesses.
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Adam Myers
Head Of HR Consulting at Stellamar
Working in HR consultancy and often dealing with people and workplace culture and trends, we are seeing and learning a great deal about how to attract and engage with Generation Z. Lately we are learning that a remote working isn't helping this group of people integrate with work, and in-fact, we are beginning to see them want to work in the office more, and organisations encouraging it.

However, what is key, is how we engage with this generation when they get to the office. Offering a great mentor and coach is proving important, and ensuring that these mentors have education and awareness around mental health issues. Offering regular workplace learning and engagement events also helps.

We are also seeing organisations being more flexible around time, and also embracing the fact that this generation will want an entrepreneurial approach to their roles, therefore thinking a lot about how they set and measure objectives, in addition to 'embracing' the employees side hustles
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Hayley Grange
Founder at Twenty2 Recruitment & Consultancy
I think it is a misconception that Gen Z dislikes being in the office. Our marketing assistant joined us shortly after her graduation in 2021, having spent the last 2 years of her university degree in and out of lockdowns. We have noticed no impact of this on her ability to work in the office or work from home.

However, she joined us as an apprentice, a different path to many graduates, due to the lack of movement in the job market towards the end of the pandemic lockdowns.

At Twenty2, we operate on a hybrid working model which works well for the whole team, ages ranging from 20s to 40s. Gen Z are young people and just like the generations before them, they enjoy socialising and being part of a team.