SURVEY: Business leaders see Gen Z employees as entitled, easily offended, lazy and generally unprepared for the workplace

09/20/2024 / By Laura Harris

A recent Intelligent.com survey has revealed that business leaders don’t think highly of Generation Z graduates.

The survey, conducted among 966 business leaders in August 2024, assessed employees born between 1996 and 2010 through Pollfish. Supervisors, including C-suite executives, human resources managers, directors, presidents, owners/partners and senior management of companies with more than 10 employees, stated that Gen Zs are entitled, too easily offended, lazy and generally unprepared for the workplace. (Related: Managers complain: Gen Z lacks “soft skills,” has “unrealistic” workplace expectations.)

For instance, 94 percent of companies hired new college graduates this year, but only 25 percent were fully satisfied with their performance. Nearly 6 out of 10 companies were forced to fire at least one recent graduate due to a lack of professionalism, poor communication skills and inadequate problem-solving abilities. These findings highlight a growing sentiment that Gen Z graduates are unprepared for the demands of the modern workplace.

Moreover, a striking 50 percent of business leaders cited a lack of motivation and initiative as key reasons for underperformance. Other critical concerns include struggles with feedback (38 percent) and professionalism (46 percent).

The survey also found that one in seven companies may refrain from hiring recent graduates in 2025 due to high turnover rates, workforce preparedness and difficulties in adjusting to workplace expectations and norms.

Sixty-five percent of hiring managers believe Gen Z employees are entitled and 63 percent think they are easily offended. These perceptions, along with concerns over work ethic and professionalism, are causing some employers to reconsider their approach to entry-level hiring.

Nguyen: Companies should adapt to Gen Z to bridge gap between generations for mutual success

In line with this, business mentor Jessen James pointed out that Gen Z workers are the very example of “snowflakeism” – slang for an exceptionally unique and entitled person with an overly emotional and easily offended personality in handling opposing views. Some are even reportedly bringing parents to job interviews or showing signs of crumbling under pressure.

“It’s almost like you have to walk on eggshells around them, being super sensitive when managing them, in case you offend them, upset them, or push them too far,” he said.

However, Intelligent.com‘s Huy Nguyen argued that the issue lies in a mismatch between traditional office norms and the values that Gen Z brings to the workplace.

“With Gen Z, they’ve got a ton of access to information, a lot of different content, news sources and influences,” said Nguyen, a former Fortune 500 hiring manager. “So when they go into a company that has more traditional norms, you get a situation where it doesn’t always mesh.”

He added that the changing office culture is another factor, with Gen Z workers not adhering to older definitions of professionalism, such as formal attire and language.

Furthermore, Nguyen stressed the importance of bridging the gap between generations to ensure mutual success. He noted that companies must adapt by offering training programs, such as mandatory office etiquette sessions. Nguyen believes this approach is critical as more Gen Z workers are set to enter the workforce in the coming years.

“Adapting to Gen Z – bridging the gap between generations to ensure everyone’s success – would be a prudent way forward,” Nguyen said.

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