Generation Z or Gen Z as they’re affectionately known, is taking the workplace by storm. To capitalize on all the great qualities that Gen Z is bringing to the workplace, your organization needs to be ready to welcome them.
They aren’t like workers in other generations and to attract Gen Z, you may need to make some considerable changes. In this article, we discuss:
The Benefits of Working with Up to FIVE Generations
What’s the Difference Between the Generations?
How to Welcome Workers from Gen Z
A Worker is a Worker...Right? Meet the 5 generations of workers who are active in the workplace today: Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials (Gen Y) Gen Z Workers from different generations may interact differently at work and have different expectations when it comes to health and safety.
The Benefits of Working with Up to FIVE Generations The benefits of workforce diversity are undeniable. Diverse thinking, different skill sets, fresh new outlooks, and various experiences all make workforce diversity a key component in achieving organizational outcomes. However, managing a diverse workforce isn’t without challenges, especially when it comes to workplace safety! With the abolition of the mandatory retirement age, many workers are choosing to remain in the workforce longer. So, today’s workforce could potentially have workers from one or more of five generations, including:
Traditionalists, born before 1945 (77 years old +)
Baby Boomers, born 1946 to 1964
Generation X, born 1965 to 1980
Millennials (sometimes called Gen Y), born 1981 and later
You may even be starting to welcome some members of Generation Z (Gen Z), born between 1997 - 2012 (26 years old and younger)
What’s the Difference? A Worker is a Worker… Right? A worker is a worker, right? Not so fast. While there is some truth to the statement, workers do display generational differences. This doesn’t mean that one gets the job done better than another. However, it impacts how they interact at work and what they expect when it comes to health and safety Traditionalists Traditionalists are quiet, loyal, and self-sacrificing. Although many have retired, some remain in the workforce. Traditionalists tend to share some key work characteristics, such as being:
Compliant
Detail oriented
Hard working
Frugal
Risk averse
Long-term focused
Loyal
When it comes to workplace safety, Traditionalists generally expect to work hard, but safely. They expect to be respected for their long-lived experience in the workplace.
Baby Boomers Baby boomers are career-focused, and they have deep loyalties. They believed in starting at the bottom and working their way up. Baby boomers tend to share some key work characteristics, such as being:
Driven
Good team players
Competitive
Relationship focused
Baby boomers have statistically fewer workplace accidents than their younger counterparts. However, they are more prone to age-related issues such as ergonomic injury. A good way to mitigate this risk is to conduct ergonomic risk assessments and ensure that each worker’s capabilities match the job demands. Generation X Gen X is a smaller group than baby boomers. Gen X is the first tech-literate generation. They were also the first generation to vocalize their desire for work-life balance. Gen Xers tend to share some key work characteristics, such as being:
Tech-literate
Flexible
Creative
Results driven
Individualistic
Gen X is looking for more than just a safe workplace. They expect wellness, benefits, and work-life balance to be encompassed within their organization’s workplace safety program.
Millennials (Gen Y)
Ah, the millennials! They had such a bad reputation, but much of that can be attributed to a cohort difference rather than a generational difference. And now look at them – they’re pushing 40 and have been established and successful in their careers. Millennials are more than tech-literate; they’ve used tech from infancy, so it’s second nature. They tend to share some key work characteristics, such as being:
Expressive
Tolerant of differences
Innovative
Open to challenges
Like Gen X, Millennials want the best of all worlds, but they’re demanding something brand new too – flexibility. They’re the first generation to leave jobs in search of employers that offer perks such as flex hours, working from home, and other flexible work programs.
Are you ready to meet Gen Z?
Meet Gen Z
Gen Z is storming the workplace, and we’re here for it! They’re young, they’re wildly innovative, and they are not afraid to take risks. What’s interesting about Gen Z is that they’re among the first to knowingly prefer meaningful and exciting work over a large salary. That’s not to say they don’t like to get paid what they’re worth – they do, and they know their value.
Gen Z expects safe workplaces – both physically and psychologically. They have zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. In fact, Gen Z is known for celebrating diversity. When it comes to workplace safety, Gen Z is thinking globally – they want to create products that are sustainable and make the world a better place. They expect their organizations to be good global citizens. They’re no strangers to information – they come in knowing their rights, and they aren’t afraid to discuss issues when they come up. One amazing quality that Gen Z is bringing to the workplace is their unparalleled ability and willingness to step up to tough conversations. This makes them rockstars at reporting unsafe conditions and participating in finding solutions.
Are you Ready to Welcome Gen Z?
Don’t deny your organization the opportunity to work with the talent that is Gen Z. Here are a few ways you can be sure your organization is ready to welcome Gen Z to the workforce:
Leverage the experience of other professionals from other generations and create a mentorship program for young new workers
Update your website and highlight how your organization supports sustainability. Don’t worry if you’re not there yet. Highlight how you’re working toward it
Be prepared to explain the benefits of working at your organization beyond health and safety. How do you support wellness? Career development? Work-life balance? Flexible work? How do you support global citizenship?
Have a program in place that supports mental health and pre-emptively avoiding burnout
Ensure that your organization supports and celebrates diversity and has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment – embed this in the workplace culture
Make work meaningful
Provide development opportunities, defined career paths, and opportunities to grow both laterally and upwardly
Gen Z is the generation most likely to quit if they’re unsatisfied with their work, or with what their organization stands for or tolerates, including unsafe conditions. When it comes to welcoming Gen Z, the primary objective is to retain Gen Z by ensuring that your organization offers enough safety and benefits to satisfy them.
Get Trained
Offering JHSC training is one way that your organization can welcome Gen Z and keep them engaged. Having certified members from all generations on the JHSC ensures that your organization is compliant and operating properly. Ensure that all JHSC members that are due for JHSC Refresher training sign up today – seats fill fast!
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