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Podcast: How Generation Z Is Changing the Workforce

The US Department of Labor says that Generation Z - those individuals born beginning in the mid-1990s - will make up almost 25% of the US workforce by 2020. In fact, Generation Z is already beginning to make its presence felt in the workplace.

On this podcast, the Chief HR Officer at Randstad North America, Jim Link, discusses the emergence of Generation Z and what employers need to know to interact effectively with these young workers. While Generation Z employees have had digital technology in their hands for most of their lives, Link says, "When it really matters, Gen Z members want to communicate with you face to face rather than texting back and forth."

Employers must communicate accordingly and be aware that Generation Z workers expect constant feedback. "The idea of a once-a-year performance review is a tombstone. Its time has passed," says Link. And the same holds true with rewards. That's why, Link notes, the idea of waiting around a year-and-a-half or more for a promotion won't sit well with these individuals. As a solution, he suggests providing spot bonuses after the completion of key tasks and foregoing the merit-based pay increase.

A survey that Randstad conducted of Generation Z and Millennials revealed that in addition to the desire for communication and rewards, the biggest concerns among these workers include:

  • Student debt;
  • Work/life balance;
  • Career advancement; and
  • Stress.

They would also like their employers to do a better job of incorporating technology into the workplace. Link discusses these findings and much more on the podcast.

Additional Resources

Managing Younger Generations - Supervisor Training

How to Foster Employee Motivation

Transcript