The Perception of Gen Z: A Closer Look
Ah, Gen Z. Often labeled as overly sensitive and fragile, this generation faces a unique set of challenges in today’s workforce. They seem to have a hard time looking their manager or lecturer in the eye, often retreating to the comforting glow of their smartphones. In 2022, Steven Bartlett, a prominent millennial figure and host of Dragons’ Den, branded them as the “least resilient generation” yet. He noted, “Some of these younger Gen Z people couldn’t weather such a storm without quitting, or posting a lengthy criticism of their employer on LinkedIn.” His remarks sparked widespread outrage, with a student journalist from The Tab dismissing it as “a load of rubbish.” However, recent data from the Office of National Statistics appears to lend some credence to Bartlett’s claims.
Currently, nearly a million young people in the UK are unemployed, equating to almost one in seven individuals aged 16 to 24 who are neither in work, education, nor training—commonly referred to by the unflattering acronym NEETs. This marks the highest level of youth unemployment recorded in the past 11 years. Has the Diary of a CEO podcaster been vindicated? It certainly aligns with the grievances expressed by many millennial middle and senior managers throughout Britain. I once found myself gently advising one such manager to tone down his generational critiques at a New Year’s Eve gathering; after a few too many drinks, he was sounding increasingly like he was arguing for drastic measures against anyone under 30.
While it’s easy to attribute a supposed lack of ambition to these so-called “lazy zoomers,” the underlying issues contributing to rising youth unemployment are more complex and are deeply rooted in the realities of their environment. Graduates entering the job market today are contending with one of the most challenging landscapes in years. They face an economic reality resembling a Hunger Games-style battleground, where hundreds of candidates vie for a limited number of positions in a sluggish economy that often feels like it’s moving in reverse. It has become increasingly common for young graduates to take on temporary roles or revert to non-graduate positions in sectors like hospitality or call centers, all while sending out numerous applications in vain.
- Law graduate James Harrison went viral on TikTok after sharing his rejection letter from Caffe Nero, stating, “Thousands of people are leaving university with great experience and amazing grades. There are not enough jobs to go around for everyone.”
Clearly, Gen Z is eager to enter the workforce. However, what about the assertion that they lack the psychological resilience to do so? According to the latest Youth Index Survey from the Prince’s Trust, nearly one in three NEETs reported that their mental health issues hinder their ability to pursue job opportunities. For those who do find work, the reality often involves zero-hour contracts or temporary positions, with research from the Work Foundation at Lancaster University revealing that 18-24-year-olds are twice as likely to be stuck in precarious jobs compared to older employees. Given that unstable employment is strongly linked to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, one must question: when we criticize Gen Z for struggling to secure employment, are we pushing them into circumstances that could further harm their mental health? What does this say about our society?
Additionally, another significant aspect of this narrative is the impact of stereotypes about Gen Z in the workplace. A recent UK Youth survey, which included over 9,000 young respondents, found that more than 90% reported experiencing negative treatment at work due to harmful perceptions about their generation.
- Over a third of employers surveyed characterized Gen Z as “overly sensitive,” while more than a quarter labeled them as “entitled.”
- Alarmingly, one in ten employers admitted to rejecting a candidate based solely on their age.
This can be seen as a form of unconscious bias, where employers are conditioned to associate negative traits with anyone under the age of 28 at the slightest sign of difficulty. Alternatively, it can be identified as a form of ageism, akin to a male supervisor dismissing a woman struggling with a heavy workload by saying, “Oh, it must be that time of the month again.”
As a millennial myself, who enjoys a good flat white and an avocado toast, I understand the sting of being pigeonholed and blamed for the financial challenges inherited from previous generations. What’s even more surprising is witnessing the number of millennials, now comfortably established in their careers, who readily perpetuate the same stereotypes against their younger counterparts. However, it’s unjust to vilify an entire generation simply to bolster one’s own sense of superiority. Eventually, Gen Z will be the ones caring for us in retirement homes, and that will surely lead to some awkward conversations.
Zing Tsjeng is a journalist, non-fiction author, and podcaster.
