When it comes to retaining Gen Z employees, companies around the world have come to the realization that there has to be more to the workplace than just good pay and perks.
Being a digital generation, Gen Z has different expectations and requirements from the place they work. They pursue meaningful work, value flexibility, crave opportunities for personal development, and are keen on a high level of technological integration in going about their work. Traditional retention strategies may, therefore, not come in handy, and there is a need for a fresh approach on how to engage and retain these young talents.
Companies that want to improve retention rates must understand that Gen Z employees have distinct preferences and values. This generation values work-life balance and puts a lot of emphasis on inclusion and social responsibility. Not only do they look for a job, but they look for an employer whose values are more or less similar to theirs and who can provide them with the feeling of a purpose and belongingness in the organization. In terms of recognition and catering to the said needs of this cohort, employers can take certain steps and provide incentives in order to increase retention and promote long term sense of belongingness.
Understanding Gen Z
Generation Z is the most recent generation to join the workforce, usually described to have been born in the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. As compared to their predecessors, the Generation Zs have been nurtured from the early cradle of digital technology, and hence they are the actual digital natives. All these aspects have an effect on their communication styles, expectations in work environments and even the kind of employers they choose to work with.
Some of the challenges facing companies in the retention of Gen Z employees today are constant job hopping, a tendency that they have embraced more compared to the other generations before. This can be attributed to job dissatisfaction and better opportunities on the lookout. Generation Z workers are looking to find a job that will meet their hopes and values, and they will not stay in it if it does not measure up.
This generational change poses new challenges and opportunities for employers, who are seeking to attract, engage, and retain young talent.
Strategies for Retaining Gen Z Employees
Provide Meaningful Work
In an increasingly growing economy, one must ask whether it is sufficient to just have dependable jobs. Over the past two decades, the culture has rapidly shifted towards the quality of jobs and a sense of meaning one gets from doing them. Gen Z has perhaps been the most passionate group when it comes to carving their own way through the world. Providing a purpose and mentorship is a great first step towards making the work environment more welcoming and hospitable.
Recommended Read: How to Master the Art of Corporate Training for Every Generation
Flexible Work Arrangements
It was uncommon for employees to be able to walk across the cabin to find ping-pong tables, let alone have the flexibility to choose when one works from home. In the decade to come, it has become evident that the job market values flexibility in work, oftentimes even more than the pay. The ability to pick hybrid work models while continuing to stay equally or more productive appears to be a no-brainer in encouraging Gen Z to opt for longer tenures and productive work weeks.
Career Development Opportunities
Aspects about being able to work remotely and working towards something meaningful are not to be confused with Gen Z seeking work without challenges. In fact, it has become their second nature to seek out challenging roles and push the boundaries of creativity & technology. A job that offers challenges can also be seen as jobs that promote career growth: which means Millennials and Gen Z both will be inclined towards pursuing bigger goals within the organization.
Regular Feedback & Recognition
Whether it’s learning & development initiatives or on-site projects, a little feedback and recognition can go a long way in boosting employee morale and confidence. Furthermore, people love to work around people who’re supportive. Fostering an environment of constructive criticism and positive feedback loops can play a major role in employee retention and overall growth.
Access to Technology
Another contributor to healthy employee turnover amongst Gen Z, especially in the IT industry, is the availability of the latest & cutting-edge technology that can allow them to streamline their work. Having access to computing power and industry-leading software can ensure that employees work to build expertise in their respective areas of work and deliver great output with the help of these tools. This, in turn, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that provides recognition and confidence.
Here is a list of top 10 tools for learning and development that we curated.
Promote Diversity & Inclusion
Gen Z is by far the most interconnected generation when it comes to engaging with their peers. Almost every aspect of their lives have involved interacting with people across the globe through the internet; be it gaming, forums, social media, or job opportunities. So, it goes without saying that an environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion will be looked upon as a better place to work.
Recommended Read: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Beyond Pride Month in L&D
Provide Autonomy
It is common knowledge that micromanaging does more harm than good. And Gen Z has a better sense of identifying negative work patterns and poor management due to accessibility of information and personal standards. Which is why the key to retaining Gen Z is in providing freedom in work and a certain degree of autonomy that allows them to utilize their unique styles of working and thinking. With the right amount of guidance and feedback, this approach can prove to be extremely beneficial in the long run.
A great case study in providing autonomy to employees can be observed in the work culture of 3M; where innovation and customer centricity is prioritized and any idea or approach from any tier of the organization is accepted as long as it serves these two purposes.
Encourage Continuous Learning
Gen Z has not been known to be classroom based learners. The fact that the world changes so rapidly in the 21st century can make textbooks outdated. Which is why there is a tendency amongst them to self-learn and scour through the internet to find teachers and eLearning materials they resonate with. In order to tap into these curious set of minds, having skill development and internal training programs that can benefit them and the company is extremely important.
You might want to check out this blog on How to Make Time for Learning for your employees.
Support Mental Health
Over the decades, we’ve come to learn that mental health is just as essential as physical health to overall wellbeing (if not more). Companies can offer resources and programs that support mental health, such as counselling services, mindfulness workshops, and stress management initiatives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, retaining Gen Z employees requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional retention strategies. By implementing flexible work arrangements, offering career development opportunities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and encouraging continuous learning, companies can create an engaging and supportive work environment that resonates with Gen Z’s values and expectations.
This generation is not just looking for a job, but for an employer who understands their unique needs and can offer them a sense of purpose and belonging. Companies that are able to adapt to these changing dynamics and meet the needs of Gen Z will not only retain them, but also leverage their talents and innovation for long-term success.
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