Millennials are now the largest generation in the current workforce, but there’s a new up-and-coming section of the labour market that company’s need to focus their attention on - Gen Z.
According to a 2020 Deloitte study, in the US alone, Gen Z constitutes “more than a quarter of the population and are already considered to be “the most diverse generation in the nation’s history”.
So, what actually is Gen Z? It’s the generation born between 1997 and 2012, putting them between the ages of as young as 10 to 25 years of age. In fact, it’s the very first generation that has never known a world without the internet!As we move through the next few years, more and more of Gen Z will enter the workforce.
As a result, HR managers are increasingly beginning to focus their attention towards learning how to meet the needs of this growing workforce - a generation that is putting more emphasis on flexibility, remote work and work-life balance than ever before.
With that in mind, we’ve listed a few key tips to help your business build an engaging company culture that improves Gen Z retention.
- Build a positive work environment
One of the best ways to engage Gen Z in the workplace is through team building activities. Team building events, whether in-person or virtual, are a great way to build office relationships, improve collaboration and create an inclusive environment.
In fact, team building activities will promote teamwork and develop team bonds that lead to improved employee engagement and better retention levels.
Virtual team building events are perfect for remote and hybrid teams, while in-person team building activities are a great way to bring your office employees together for a fun and interactive event.
- Nurture their entrepreneurial spirit
Generation Z has grown up with the internet, and that has made them independent. They use Youtube videos to complete DIY projects, and use search engines to find the solutions to any of the problems that they’re facing.
Don’t give these workers routine jobs - they’ll get bored and look for new opportunities. Instead, give them the freedom they need to come up with innovative ideas that help drive your business into the future.
- Offer flexibility
Flexible work environments are almost expected in today’s world, particularly by Gen Z. Generation Z typically value the ability to either work from home or mix their time between office work and working from home. They particularly value a good work-life balance.
Workers from Generation Z are mostly looking for companies that fit into their lives, whether that’s working from their kitchen, going into the office, or working from a lounge chair at the beach. Offering a flexible work environment can help your business engage, and retain, workers in Gen Z.
- Promote a healthy work/life balance
Millennials know all too well how easy it can be to fall into the traps of blurred lines between the work day and personal time - especially when it comes to remote work. Generation Z are eager not to fall into that trap, and put great value onto employers that make an effort to respect that boundary.
Workers from Gen Z will look for businesses that promote a healthy work/life balance. That could involve ensuring employees turn off their communication channels at 5pm, encouraging team members to have flexibility with their work hours or even moving to a four-day work week like some organizations are doing right now.
- Focus on development
Like Millennials, Generation Z value having a clear set of development opportunities that allow them to grow and progress their career. In fact, Gen Z workers will actively look for growth opportunities in job adverts.
To ensure you offer this for your Gen Z employees, make sure that you’re offering opportunities for them to develop their skills, whether that be employee training, job promotions or education opportunities.
Interested in learning more about how team building activities can help your business engage, and retain, Generation Z workers? Teambonders would love to help. We design custom-made team building programs that drive real results. Contact us today for more information.
