Generation Z employees get an ‘F’ in survey over lack of reliability, workplace toxicity

They may be young and tech-savvy, but Generation Z employees are also the most likely to cause workplace headaches for their bosses.

A survey released Thursday showed that 68% of small-business owners found Gen Z “the least reliable” of their workers, while 71% said the youngest cohort was most likely to have a workplace mental-health issue.

What’s more, 62% of employers said Gen Z employees were the “most likely to cause division and toxicity in the workplace.” More than half, or 57%, said the younger workers were “most likely to post a risk of a workplace lawsuit,” according to the Freedom Economic Index report for March.

“The 2024 labor market will be one of the most difficult in decades,” said Andrew Crapuchettes, CEO of RedBalloon.work. “With large-scale retirements by baby boomers, the market needs an influx of new talent, but Gen Z is clearly struggling to make the grade.”

The latest results of the Freedom Economic Index, a joint project of PublicSquare and RedBalloon, backed up the findings of a 2023 Resume Builder study showing that Gen Z-ers, those born between 1997 and 2012, present a challenge for employers.

The age group rated “most reliable” was Generation X, or those between 44-59, followed by their older siblings, the Baby Boomers, those over the age of 60.

Gen X employees were also considered the cohort that “most aligns with your workplace culture.”

In their defense, younger workers have by definition less workplace experience and may need time to adjust to the “real world” of full-time employment.

#GenZ got a report card from employers, and it isn’t ✨pretty.✨

68% of small business owners find Gen Zers to be the “least reliable” of all their employees. ❌

62% say Gen Z is the most likely group to cause division and toxicity in the workplace. ❌ pic.twitter.com/mzWmpQglJU

— Isaac Lopez (@IsaacLopez202_) March 21, 2024

A whopping 71% of small businesses said that “lack of reliability” was their biggest problem when it comes to workers. More than half also listed “giving minimum effort,” “bad attitude at work,” and “poor customer service.”

About 60% of employers said they would rather be understaffed than poorly staffed with “more employees but more problems.”

“The labor market is a tough battleground right now, and it’s weighing heavily on employers who need talent to both maintain their operations and to grow for the future,” said Mr. Crapuchettes.

The survey of 839 small-business owners was conducted from March 15-19 with a margin of error of +/- 3% at the 95% confidence level.

The findings also showed that employers were less concerned than previously about a recession, but still aren’t ready to make major investments.

“Small business owners are clearly feeling a turning in the economy,” said PublicSquare CEO Michael Seifert. “But they’re not willing to bet the farm just yet on which direction the economy will turn next.”