Employers are finding it increasingly difficult to manage the expectations of Generation Z (Gen Z) workers, but youth campaigners and business organizations say that changes in workplace culture are a necessity is inevitable.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said young workers expect quick success, but often lack the skills and experience to meet the sector’s needs. Young workers expect immediate rewards, such as high starting pay or quick promotions, without realizing the time and effort it takes to gain experience and move up the ranks, he told FMT.
Syed Hussain said members of Generation Z – those born between 1995 and 2003 – are ambitious, but their desire for quick career advancement does not match their current skill level. New graduates often enter the job market without enough practical experience, preventing them from reaching the level employers expect, he said.
Syed Hussain said many Gen Z employees lack important soft skills such as communication, critical thinking and problem solving, which are critical for career success. The skills gap not only discourages employers, but also confuses the workplace, making it difficult for these young workers to interact with their peers. , he said.
“We don’t work”
However, the young Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam of Children’s Innovation Rights Fund (CRIF) said that Generation Z places great importance on work-life balance. “Fixed in the center of professional and physical life is especially important for my generation. We moved our situation by any of the following – not only work; mental health. When considering a job, we consider mental health benefits, working conditions and shift times. Some companies are now offering workers a break, realizing that this does not reduce productivity, he told FMT. Ain Husniza also explained the importance of flexible working hours and working remotely.
Shifts are more interesting than regular office work. Daily commutes can be tiring, especially during rush hour. With hybrid work, you can avoid traffic jams and work from anywhere, which makes it different. He added that Gen Z employees bring growth opportunities and new ideas beyond traditional work methods.
Recruiters need to be open to new ideas and new solutions that Generation Z offers. It’s not just about preparing ourselves for repetitive tasks; we need problem-solving skills that are not always taught in schools.
The Randstad Malaysia Workmonitor 2024 report found that two out of five people in the country are ready to resign if they have to work in an office more often. This trend is stronger among younger workers, with almost half of Generation Z (49%) and 47% of Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) opposed to strict work arrangements.
In January, WTW research found that by 2025, Millennials and Generation Z will make up more than 70% of the country’s workforce. The survey found that traditional work styles are becoming inevitable as workers now have options in the gig and leisure economy, where job security is no longer a priority.
The passion economy refers to a new type of business in which people access their unique skills, creativity and passion through online platforms, often focusing on niche markets or personal passions. A 2020 Monash University report found that Generation Z is increasingly interested in entrepreneurship.
Professional groups advise leaders to take the opportunity to reflect
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI), an expert group based in the UK, gave a more positive view, saying that Generation Z employees bring new ideas and values, especially in terms of exciting and changing work. . Anthony Painter, CMI’s head of policy and external affairs, said it is important to take advantage of the exchange of ideas, where young workers share their knowledge of technology and modern methods how they work with their older colleagues.
Generation Z employees have unique ideas and values, often making them entrepreneurial, proactive and empathetic employees. Managers can learn a lot from them, he told FMT.
The artist also said that Gen Z’s focus on mental health has led companies to rethink workplace policies, offering flexible measures and better support for employee well-being. Youth unemployment remains a major problem in Malaysia, with an unemployment rate of 10.6% among young people, according to data from the Department of Statistics.
