Expert reveals Gen Z’s biggest workplace icks (and why we should all give in to them)

Gen Z’s biggest workplace pet peeves have been revealed, and it’s bad news for bosses who thought the younger generation would be all about office TikTok.

Nothing infuriates the TikTok generation more than being asked to help with social media — especially if it means appearing on camera.

Speaking to FEMAIL, HR and Talent Advisor Matt Berry-Hewitt said the youngest generation of Australian workers face some very specific workplace issues.

But five things stand out as major turn-offs, including being expected to work overtime and having someone comment on your lunch choice.

People choosing to come to work while sick and being told to turn on their cameras for Zoom meetings round out the top five.

And while the list may raise concerns among baby boomers, Gen Xers and even millennials, Berry-Hewitt argues that workplaces need to adapt to the expectations of younger workers.

Generation Z will make up 58 percent of the workforce by 2030, so bad habits need to be kicked, he explained.

The expert went into detail about each situation and how you can change old habits to make it more comfortable for Generation Z.

Asked to appear on TikTok

According to Berry-Hewitt, many Gen Z employees feel irritated when colleagues ask them to participate in company content on social media.

Managers must empower Gen Z employees to set these boundaries.

“If you ask an employee to participate in a TikTok activity and they say no, you should respect that no and move on,” he said.

Nine out of ten Gen Zers have felt uncomfortable in social settings at work.

“Find volunteers to film on social media and avoid employees who are less sensitive to cameras,” he advised.

Evaluate their food choices

According to Berry-Hewitt, comments about food are simply not tolerated by Generation Z.

‘A quarter of them do not eat meat, and another 26 percent plan to eat more plant-based in the future. That is significantly higher than in any other age group,’ he explains.

Accepting the food choices of others is a given for the TikTok generation, even if you don’t approve of them or have to put up with people eating tuna at work.

“If a workplace has a separate eating area, this shouldn’t be a problem,” Mr Berry-Hewitt said.

Turning on cameras for Zoom meetings

According to the expert, 35 percent of Generation Z women prefer to wear loungewear over other clothing.

“It is therefore not surprising that there is still a recurring complaint that people have to turn on their camera when participating in a Zoom or Teams call,” he said.

While 80 percent of employees of all ages prefer their virtual meeting partners to keep their cameras on, he explained.

“Younger employees are under extra pressure to turn on their cameras and appear more trustworthy,” he said.

According to the expert, a camera shows that you are involved in what is happening and increases involvement with others.

“Having my camera on helps me connect with the audience and gauge how what I’m saying is coming across. When your employee is on the phone, there has to be a level of trust that your staff is listening,” he said.

Overtime Expectations

A common complaint from Gen Z employees is that they are portrayed as “part-timers” because they arrive and leave the office exactly on time, the expert explains.

He added that a recent survey found that 77 percent of Gen Zers prioritize a healthy work-life balance, with a specific focus on working smarter, not harder.

“If someone says ‘no’ when they are expected to work overtime without extra pay, that is a bad work culture if they expect that of their staff. They are not a bad employee if they refuse,” he said.

More experienced colleagues can avoid this problem by focusing on productivity and tasks completed rather than hours logged.

Working while sick

According to the HR expert, Generation Z and millennial employees are less likely to come to work when they feel sick.

They are likely to call in sick to work if they show symptoms of a minor illness, such as a cold.

Research has shown that older generations are less aware of spreading germs in the office and are more likely to share their colds with the team.

“If a colleague says they’re sick and they’re coming into the office anyway, most people wonder why – especially in an environment where working from home is justified. In a post-Covid world, no one wants to be around someone who’s sick,” Berry-Hewitt said.

According to the expert, Generation Z is ‘very confident in what they want from a career and how they want to shape the culture at their workplace’.

“As they become the dominant force in the workplace, companies will need to learn to adapt to these new expectations or they will miss out on some great talent,” he said.

He warns that Generation Z employees also need to be patient.

“Companies are not going to magically change and adapt overnight.”

Mr Berry-Hewitt revealed these findings to Furniture at work.