--- description: Managing Gen Z staff creates unique new challenges for business leaders. Discover 5 tips for managing Generation Z employees in the workplace today. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/getapp/og_logo-94fd2a03a6c7a0e54fc0c9e21a1c0ce9.png title: Tips for managing Generation Z employees in the workplace --- # Managing Gen Z in the workplace: 5 tips to communicate effectively Canonical: https://www.getapp.co.uk/blog/1772/5-tips-comunicate-gen-z-workplace Published on 23/11/2022 | Written by Sonia Navarrete, David Jani. ![Managing Gen Z in the workplace: 5 tips to communicate effectively](https://images.ctfassets.net/63bmaubptoky/8DwnE0Ps-5VHw0yTETfDDIVYJANdY0GiQM5MgKvDnCw/bbb33cc96de318fd44b8b1bced6e8fbf/How-to-communicate-with-Gen-Z-in-the-workplace-1.png) > This article was originally published on 21/10/2021 Generation Z (also known as Gen Z or Centennials) is increasingly represented in the UK’s workforce. Their unique experiences and expectations compared with their older millennial, Gen X, and even baby boomer colleagues require new approaches to online collaboration and employee communication from company leaders. How can businesses adapt to this? ----- ## Article Content This article was originally published on 21/10/2021Generation Z (also known as Gen Z or Centennials) is increasingly represented in the UK’s workforce. Their unique experiences and expectations compared with their older millennial, Gen X, and even baby boomer colleagues require new approaches to online collaboration and employee communication from company leaders. How can businesses adapt to this?In this article5 top tips for managing Generation Z employees in the workplaceHow to motivate Generation Z in the workplaceGeneration Z expectations in the workplaceGeneration Z communication in the workplaceGeneration Z challenges in the workplaceGen Z was born after 1997 when technological innovation was at its peak, so they are digital natives who have never existed without smartphones. They shop using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and social networks are their backyards—and that means they tend to seek out information on every decision they make. They have plenty of strengths and social awareness to offer their employers, but what can you, as a business leader, do to earn that? In this article, we provide five tips to effectively handle Generation Z in the workplace. 5 top tips for managing Generation Z employees in the workplaceBusinesses need to take a proactive and nuanced approach when managing Generation Z in the workplace to tap into its population's potential. With that in mind, what strategies should you be leveraging? If you’re considering how to motivate Generation Z in the workplace, the five tips below can help provide a starting point.1. Accommodate shortened attention spansResearch shows that Gen Z has a short attention span of eight seconds to Millennials’ twelve. That doesn’t necessarily mean business leaders need to say less in a shorter time frame. If you can control engagement, you can control attention. Immersive video conferencing technology is undergoing a resurgence as second-generation tools enter the workplace. The TikTok generation uses video the way Gen Xers once used Filofaxes, so communications leaders must maximise engagement through collaborative video-based tools like live chat software or virtual meeting tools.2. Harness the new influencer modelGen Z has grown up in the shadow of social media influencers. Businesses are starting to capture Gen Z’s attention through performative professionals. Experienced, prominent leaders can mentor hundreds of new employees at once through video-first integration. Your best in-house leaders can become your brand’s own influencers if you have video conferencing software at your side.3. Focus on feedback and mentorship A Gen Z employee’s business values revolve around a genuine interest in achieving their best work.  Half say they need constructive criticism in order to succeed, but one-in-three Centennials claim they are more likely to continue working for a supportive manager. This tells us much about Generation Z’s expectations in the workplace. Motivational employee engagement is critical to keeping them on board.Fulfilling Generation Z’s need for evaluation simultaneously demands a delicate balance and a mentorship model achieves it perfectly. Employee recognition software, 360 degree feedback software and feedback and reviews software are good ways for staff and leaders to provide feedback. Good mentoring communicates baseline expectations and raises feedback frequency in a supportive ecosystem. 4. Utilise communication mediaStudies have shown 65% of Gen Z prefer text-based communication over real-world conversation, but other surveys paint a different picture. A Yello investigation found that half of the digital generation prefers face-to-face connections. A typical Gen Z worker needs to build relationships with their leaders, and face-to-face interactions are deemed a valuable communication style in the workplace. With Gen Z in the workplace, real-world channels need an open-door policy that encourages feedback, particularly about distressing situations like workplace harassment.5. Recognise the importance of social valuesGen Z’s values have been shaped by the Millennials who came before them, so they are socially aware and have strong principles. Therefore, the easiest way to inspire Gen Z in the workplace is to give them the power to do their jobs well. They need authentic connections with brands and managers. Their loyalty is at a premium, as is their work-life balance. As a result, remote work schedules are becoming increasingly common. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the prevalence of remote and hybrid workplaces, and businesses with remote workers have a 25% lower staff turnover rate. How to motivate Generation Z in the workplace76% of employees would be more likely to stay with their current employer if they were allowed to work flexible hours. Collaboration tools are rising to that challenge, with performance monitoring tools following closely behind. These changes come with new security demands as well as the challenges of creating an organisational culture adapted for remote or hybrid workplaces. However, it is worthwhile to explore greater workplace flexibility when managing Generation Z in the workplace in order to keep employees motivated and engaged long-term.Generation Z expectations in the workplaceA Workforce Institute survey found that almost half of Gen Z employees want their leaders to hear their ideas and value their views. They are, in other words, not shy to share — a tendency that business leaders need to harness. Your technology should open up your communication channels to ensure the new generation has plenty of opportunities to share its skills. As we’ve explored before, this might be via video conferencing software or feedback-sharing tools, but good, charismatic, constructive communication becomes key when collaborating with Generation Z employees.Generation Z communication in the workplaceAs we’ve already discussed, Generation Z communication styles in the workplace can generally be summarised as in-person and influencer-inspired. However, it is also important to remember that digital influence plays a big part in this.Generation Z has an innate talent for digital communication. They can absorb information through several platforms at once, and that affects every industry and business department they engage with. Their communication styles in the workplace are also content-driven, so they expect to be informed by the people who employ them. Gone are the days when team-building exercises and monetary commissions were enough. The types of communication in the workplace needed for the digital generation require more substance than that.They want to be educated, not just motivated. Gen Z in the workplace want their employers to invest in their improvement; one-way discussions won’t cut it. Collaborative tools must encourage two-way connections across several mediums between team leaders and followers alike. Generation Z challenges in the workplaceAs we’ve seen up to now, there are a number of significant challenges that Generation Z can face when adapting to the workplace. These can be summed up as follows:Shorter attention spans than older generationsThe need for regular constructive feedback A digital-first way of working and communication styleA strong sense of principal and social awareness The need to make authentic connectionsA work-life balance mindsetUsing the five tips we’ve outlined in this article can go a long way to accommodating these needs and helping the Gen Z workforce reach their strong potential. The youngest generation is looking for work that contributes to its desire to excel, so discipline-focused boomer tactics just won’t do. Today’s employers must provide an opportunity for self-actualisation. Give them the power to raise your profits, and you give them work satisfaction. Your business is Gen Z’s opportunity to excel, which can profoundly affect your bottom line.Looking for online collaboration software? Check out our catalogue. ## About the authors ### Sonia Navarrete Sonia is a Senior Content Analyst, helping SMEs choose the best software. She published in Raconteur, Computer Weekly and IT Pro. Journalist and PR. Nature, bike and dog lover. ### David Jani David is a Content Analyst for the UK, providing key insights into tech, software and business trends for SMEs. Cardiff University graduate. 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