16 Office Norms Younger Millennials and Gen Z Are Done With
Youth is the future, and Gen Z’s entry into the workforce is clear proof of this. Joining the ranks of millennials, they usher in a new era of norms in the workplace.
Millennials are generally described as competitive, open-minded, and achievement-oriented, while Gen Z is recognized for being entrepreneurial, progressive, and laser-focused on what matters to them. As these generations dominate the workforce, we can expect many changes in how we navigate our professional lives.
Here’s how their priorities are likely to reshape office culture as we know it.
1. Traditional Office Setup
Working from home isn’t a perk anymore, it’s the new standard. Pre-pandemic, the office was simply a place to earn a living. Now, thanks to the pandemic forcing companies to adopt to remote setups, younger generations push for flexible work arrangements.
The World Economic Forum reports that 73% of Gen Z workers choose flexible schedules over a typical 9-to-5. And this isn’t just about convenience — studies prove flexible work, whether fully remote or hybrid, can increase productivity, motivation, and reduce stress.
2. Lacking Social Awareness
Gone are the days of separating personal values from professional life. Today’s workforce, particularly millennials and Gen Z, actively fight for their advocacies and views on social justice.
Past generations might have kept their opinions to themselves, but new workers research a company’s practices and social impact, according to the Network Executive of Women (NEW) and Deloitte. This means companies that stand for a greater cause will attract the best talent of the future.
3. Discrimination and Inequality
Previous generations may have normalized unfair treatment in the workplace, but Gen Z isn’t afraid to demand a more equitable environment.
A Tallo study reveals that Gen Z still experiences workplace discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, and it’s probably a result of past office culture. For these new generations, diversity and inclusion are core values at work.
4. Neglecting Mental Health
When choosing a company to work for, millennials and Gen Z take mental health policies into consideration. These policies influence their decision to join and impact how long they stay. If a company doesn’t prioritize their well-being, they’re more likely to seek out an employer who does.
Research from Johns Hopkins University emphasizes how companies can attract Gen Z talent by investing in their employees’ mental health. By establishing programs aimed at improving self-care among employees, companies can develop a happier, more productive workforce.
5. Taking It Easy At Work
Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother said, “Corporate America wants people who seem like bold risk-takers but don’t do anything.” While hilarious and frankly a little true in the past, it’s not applicable today, especially with the younger generations leading the industries.
Compared to the ones who came before, millennials and Gen Z would rather work hard and get stressed than take it easy at work. In fact, according to a Gallup report, Gen Z tends to feel stressed at work, which leads to them getting burned out.
6. Not Taking Sick Days
Do you take your sick days, or do you avoid skipping work at all costs? Millennials and Gen Z prioritize mental health and work-life balance, and that includes actually taking sick days when needed.
A Gusto report shows white-collar workers under 35 take more sick leaves than their older counterparts. These younger generations understand the importance of self-care and don’t feel ashamed to ask for time off.
7. Career-Driven Approach
Corporate America introduced the concept of a stable career to keep workers loyal and productive. But this concept doesn’t appeal to younger generations, who prioritize their well-being over professional accomplishments.
While millennials are likely to seek a fulfilling job, Gen Z might prioritize salary and benefits. Despite these differences, one thing remains clear: both generations are less focused on building a traditional career and more interested in work that aligns with their broader life goals.
8. Gaining Tenure in the Company
Job hopping has become a trend among the younger generation, which gives them a bad reputation for acting entitled. But hold on, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
While a TeamStage Report suggests millennials leave companies for better pay, Gen Z appears to have a strategic approach. Gen Z sees job hopping as a way to diversify their skill sets and become more valuable employees. So, is it entitlement or a calculated career move? The answer likely lies somewhere in between.
9. Befriending Coworkers
The camaraderie that once thrived in workplaces seems to fade with the newest batch of workers. Office friendships used to be considered one of the most appealing parts of having a job, but people nowadays are much less engaged, which results in high turnover.
Compared to their Gen X and boomer counterparts, millennials and Gen Z often struggle to form strong connections with their team.
10. Disinformation
Millennials and Gen Z grew up surrounded by technology, so unsurprisingly, they know how to stay connected at all times. This constant access to information is a double-edged sword, especially in the workplace setup.
On one hand, it fuels their ability to research and find answers quickly. However, the flip side is the need for extra fact-checking to verify the information’s accuracy.
11. Work Phone Calls
According to a Zoom report, millennials in the workplace prefer interactive tools like group chats and video meetings over emails and phone calls.
Why? Unlike traditional methods, newer avenues allow for quick, real-time discussions. Younger employees want to be efficient, so they like being able to address concerns on the fly rather than wait for everyone’s schedules to align.
12. Staying At the Office Past 5
Unlike older generations who equated work with life, Gen Z and millennials prioritize work-life balance. They refuse to stay at the office past 5 p.m. or after their work hours. To them, work is just one part of their lives, not all of it.
Gen Z and millennials clock out on time and ditch the “productivity theater” of pretending to be busy after hours.
13. Earning Income Only Through Their Employer
Witnessing economic struggles firsthand, Gen Z and millennials are motivated to improve their financial situation. They see traditional jobs as just one piece of the puzzle, and many turn to entrepreneurship to take control of their finances.
A U.S. Council of Economic Advisers report shows most millennials want to start their own business. Gen Z has the same point of view and hopes to own a business.
14. Professional Communication
New-generation workers communicate differently. To promote individuality in their communication styles, Gen Z integrates their personality into their emails, reports, and online messages, which may come across as unprofessional to other generations.
Due to this perceived lack of professionalism, some executives and managers now add etiquette classes to their training programs. Through these classes, they hope to train young workers to communicate more formally.
15. Everyone Having The Same Work Style
You may be assigned group-oriented tasks less often once millennials and Gen Z dominate the workforce. These generations have different working styles: millennials prefer collaborative projects, while Gen Z likes to take on tasks alone. This difference can cause a rift in the company’s systems and challenge the way things are done.
A good solution is to allow each generation to coexist with their preferred working styles. Let millennials flourish in collaboration and allow Gen Z to work independently. As long as they are productive and able to produce excellent outputs, there’s no issue.
16. Avoiding Change
Change is the only thing that’s constant in this world. However, it can be difficult to accept change and adapt to new ways of doing things, especially at work. Younger generations, however, can embrace change in the workforce because they know it’s necessary.
With so many events happening in recent years, from economic depression to war and pandemic, it’s no surprise that younger employees simply accept change. These uncontrollable situations force them to adapt, which allows them to approach their jobs with a flexible mindset.
16 Annoying Phrases Millennials Use That People Do Not Like
Language changes every day. Tonal shifts, evolution of meaning, updated definitions, politically correct discourse, and conversation comprehension all contribute to our shifting languages. With shifting language come everyday terms people use, specifically people of certain generations, to relate to others. These phrases or words may pick up separate meanings from their dictionary definitions or express ideas that irritate others. For example, millennials love saying, “I don’t want to adult,” as 35-year-olds are working office jobs.
16 Annoying Phrases Millennials Use That People Do Not Like
Gen Z’s 13 Surprising Approaches to Life That’s Gaining Respect from Boomers and Millennials
Gen Z isn’t just about viral dances on TikTok (although they’ve definitely got those down pat). They bring in refreshing ideas that boomers and millennials can’t help but respect.
Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z shakes things up with their unique views on life. From caring about mental wellness to asserting the need for work-life balance, the younger generation breaks away from traditional norms.
Let’s explore Gen Z’s habits and attitudes that make a positive impact on how we navigate the world.
14 Things Millennials Are No Longer Buying: A Shift in Consumer Trends
Each generation has its share of likes and dislikes, which impact their shopping habits. Millennials are no different. As consumers, they have collectively rejected numerous things that appeal to other generational groups, especially Generation X and baby boomers.
14 Things Millennials Are No Longer Buying: A Shift in Consumer Trends
