Experts are warning young Aussies of an emerging trend contributing to an alarming rate of Gen Z employees being fired across the US.
Exposure to social media, the rise of online work or study environments, and modernisation as a whole are encouraging young people to adopt an array of behaviours potentially putting their jobs at risk.
A survey conducted by Intelligent.com shows at least 75 per cent of US companies were not satisfied with recent hires aged 27 or younger, with 60 per cent of those employees “having to be fired”.
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Recurring problems included young employees being “entitled, too easily offended, lazy and generally unprepared for the workplace”.
Other issues were consistently leaving early or starting late, and poor communication skills.
Half of the respondents said Gen Z workers were most likely to display a lack of motivation and 46 per cent said they showed a lack of professionalism on the job.
Most companies tried to support the workers — 79 per cent of participating companies said they implemented performance improvement plans for their younger staff. However, they had little success and still resulted in staff termination.
One survey participant wrote that “Gen Z suffers from the public perception that they are chronically limited by short attention spans, a habit of laziness and insistence on a robust work-life balance” which is likely “a by-product of growing up in a digital world”.
Now experts are worried a similar situation is also playing out among young Australian workers.
Australian recruitment expert Roxanne Calder said she hears “a lot of reluctance to hire Gen Z staff” among employers.
Companies she has encountered also express concern about how young workers “integrate” into the workforce, and are tired of the “no give-all take” expectation.
When asked what behaviours would most likely get a young person fired from the workplace, Calder emphasised that “attitude” is a top contender.
A BuzzFeed article on Gen Z reveals a similar response through its investigation into the attitudes and behaviours that make Gen Z less valuable workers.
Answers from employers included “poorly understood phone etiquette”, “problem-solving”, “unprofessional attire”, “perseverance, delayed gratification, and patience”.
These traits are mentioned repeatedly in reports and articles discussing Gen Z trends, so 7NEWS asked Calder if there is a possibility of adapting to these “bad habits” in the workplace.
“Both parties, employers and Gen Z, need to adapt. Gen Z does have much to learn and it would be a detriment to society and their future if they don’t start to take heed of the softer attributes and key skills needed to be and remain employable,” she said.
Calder said it is vital for employers and employees to understand the gap in generations and the associated expectations.
“Older workers may expect loyalty and deference to authority, while younger employees may prioritise autonomy and a sense of purpose,” she said.
So, if you’re a young Aussie worker and think you display any of these traits, be careful as your job may be on the line.