Generation Z is annoyed because people constantly criticize their work ethic, even though they work over 40 hours a week and still can’t afford to rent an apartment.
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What is Generation Z? Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to the generation born approximately between 1995 and 2010. Members of this generation are therefore currently between 14 and 30 years old. Gen Z has thus entered the job market in the past 10 years.
There is constant criticism of the work ethic and sense of duty as well as the general attitude towards work of this generation. Executives claim in various studies: Gen Z employees lack professionalism. They often arrive late, do poor work, or fail to meet deadlines.
About 18% of surveyed managers stated that they have considered firing someone because they felt stressed by Gen Z. Nearly 40% of employers stated in a survey that they would prefer to hire a robot than a university graduate from Gen Z.
What is the criticism of the generation? Part of Gen Z is tired of the constant criticism of their work habits. They also criticize and say: Boomers had it easier. They were able to buy a house and a brand new car with a simple job at the prices of their time. This is no longer possible today.
“Boomers” are referred to as those born during the baby boom period, roughly in the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Boomers are therefore approximately the parents to grandparents of the working Generation Z, although this naturally depends on the respective family.
Influencer Robbie Scott summarized the criticism in a video on TikTok with over 2 million views:
We need to stop expecting that the same damn people who bought a four-bedroom house and a brand new Cadillac convertible with a $30,000 annual salary understand what it’s like to work 40 hours or more a week with a master’s degree and still not be able to afford a 40-square-meter apartment in damn Iowa.
Fortune.com
Also on Reddit, users are convinced that Boomers had it easier than Generation Z: “Boomers really exaggerate their work ethic. I have worked with them and seen their skills and working hours—they had it easier,” writes one user. Another adds: “Much easier and much better paid, with fewer qualifications.”
The generation therefore feels unjustly criticized, as older generations cannot empathize with the situation of Gen Z. They were able to secure a well-paid job even without a high degree and could buy a house or condominium after a few years.
This is not possible for Gen Z. They must find the motivation to give their best at work, knowing that the money barely stretches for a small rental apartment but probably never for a house of their own.
What lies behind the criticism? Members of Generation Z do not criticize older generations but rather the current job and housing market. Millennials and Gen Z are, according to the US magazine Fortune, the best-educated generations. Nonetheless, they face worse financial prospects and challenges in finding work.
In addition to a high degree as a prerequisite, many employers require several years of work experience. Jobs are posted online, resulting in a noticeably higher number of applicants per position. It was easier in the past to find a well-paid job.
Additionally, the current housing market is one of the biggest problems for Generation Z—not just for buying a property. In Germany, rental prices have also been steadily rising for some time, and young people struggle to cover costs in the professions for which they qualify: Gen Z is currently facing two big problems, one of which they cannot solve without help
