Good Company Culture According to the Gen Z Workforce

Generation Z, born between 1996 and 2010, are the first generation to live fully in the digital era. Some say they are stubborn while others say they are idealistic. One thing’s for sure, they’re going to make up  27% of the Australian workforce this year. 

So if you’re in human resources, this is the time to start paying more attention to what Gen Z is really like. More importantly, you need to understand their perspective, especially when it comes to good company culture. Now what exactly are the elements of good company culture according to the Gen Z workforce?

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A Flexible Work Setup

The baby boomers and most of the millennials thrived in the 9 to 5. But with the many advancements in technology and the pandemic showing us that it is possible to work remotely, more Gen Z workers now prefer to have a more flexible work setup. 

These workers love to be in control of their time because it allows them to somehow create that work-life balance that they strive for. A flexible work arrangement could mean getting more flexible work hours, doing hybrid work and having more freedom in terms of schedule.

Gen Z workers are not afraid to speak their minds when it comes to these options, so make sure to ask them to know if the setup they prefer also works for your business.

Accessibility to Technology

One of the best things about working with Gen Z is that they’re fully immersed in technology. They know all the digital tools, equipment, advancements and whatnot that help to make work faster and more accurate.

This is why it’s very important for them to work in a tech-savvy environment where they have access to tools and equipment that they can use for work. When they do, you can expect them to do their best every time and make sure that they are productive all the time. So if you still haven’t invested in these tools, it is time to do it if you want to attract Gen Z workers who can help give your business a good leverage when it comes to technology. 

A Diverse and Accepting Work Environment

Growing up in the digital age has allowed Gen Z to be the most socially aware generation of our time. In fact, it’s so important for them to work in a company that supports diversity and inclusion that they’d gladly walk away from a good opportunity if a company doesn’t have it. They want to feel accepted, and they also expect everyone around them to feel the same. They even appreciate companies that hire disabled individuals through a disability recruitment agency.

The Gen Z workforce also puts a lot of importance on their physical and mental health. Coming of age in the middle of the worst pandemic in history, these people realised how taking care of yourself physically and mentally can really change your life. This is why they lean towards companies that care about employee well-being more than their bottom line. 

Clear Communication

If there’s one thing that separates Gen Z from other generations, it’s their ability and drive to communicate well. In fact, clear and transparent communication in the workplace is a must for them, whether it’s between their teammates or with higher management. So if you want to hire more Gen Zs in your company, you need to make sure that you have open channels for communication and that you are ready to answer enquiries and ideas in a healthy and professional manner.

Gen Zs also appreciate feedback, so they would love a company that offers reviews of their work. They want to do better, and they can only do that if they know their strong and weak points.

Work with a Purpose

A lot of people may think that Gen Z’s only care about their Instagram feed and Tiktok posts, but they’re actually a generation who cares deeply about their values. In fact, these workers don’t just want to work for the sake of a salary. They also want to work on projects that have an impact on the community and are aligned with their personal values.

Most of these Gen Z workers look at a company’s mission and vision because they want to work for something with a purpose other than just earning money. So if you want to attract the best talent pool in this generation, it’s very important to be clear about your goals as a business and what you want to contribute to society.

The Bottom Line

Some say Gen Z is the best generation, while others say they are the worst. But one thing’s for sure, this generation—like any other generation—can contribute to your success if you understand what works for them.