Forget the Gen Z bit, and let’s approach this conversation with clear-headed focus. Do you remember that time when you were new in an organisation — feeling tense, confused, anxious, or even a little naïve? Remember how it took so long to adjust to the fast-paced environment that demanded so much of your time and dedication?
Take a pause. This is the reality: organisations are aggressively pursuing youthful skills and talents to strengthen their workforce and ultimately enhance their overall output. The reason? Younger employees tend to be far more productive compared with veterans who have been in the industry for years, often with their creative energies nearly spent.
Productivity isn’t always as high as organisations might expect. But here is the thing: the younger generation is here to help. They are top talents and bright minds that every team should have. However, organisations are often quick to pressure the younger generation — particularly Gen Z — into taking on far more than they initially signed up for. Bringing young talent into the team, only to set a long list of goals that seasoned employees struggled to tick off in 15 years. Saying that organisations set the bar high is a generous understatement. I mean, expecting a single person to carry that burden is simply unfair.
Let us be realistic. Beyond showing them where the washrooms, water dispensers, balcony, office kitchen and maybe the team’s favourite kibandasky are, most organisations spend little or no time carefully inducting their young recruits.
Both formal induction (where companies organise training to bring young employees up to speed with job requirements, organisational operations, goals, objectives, mission and vision) and informal induction (where young employees learn through experience, often by trial and error) are lacking in many organisations. Whether these organisations blame it on tough economic times or simply ignorance, it is unfortunate, to say the least.
It is like we are on different planets — workplaces have become hostile territory for fresh faces. Without proper induction to help newbies settle in and feel part of the team, Gen Z find it hard to connect with the more seasoned employees. Instead of sharing knowledge, there is a strange “clique culture” that makes the young employees tiptoe at workplaces as if moving around the office is a crime.
You walk to one corner of the office and stumble upon a group bonding over shared hometown stories. In another corner, there are the big boys throwing around lingo like it is an exclusive code. And then there is the clique of senior staff — keeping a safe distance from the juniors, as if they’re dodging a mysterious curse. Most workplaces have so many factions even a six-year-old could spot that something is off.
In an environment like this, even the brightest young employee can lose their spark. How are they supposed to ask for help when the closest people who are supposed to welcome them act like they are allergic to newcomers? Naturally, this affects their work and soon enough they are getting served up a healthy dose of supervisor scolding complete with sighs and a shaking of the head. I know you know what I mean.
To fix this, it’s time for company heads to start fostering a culture of teamwork, no matter the age gaps. Because, let’s face it, unity is the only way to reach those big goals. And wouldn’t it be great if everyone could head home feeling more like a team player and less like they are competing? Something to ponder.
— The writer is a Sub-Editor with People Daily-
