Every generation brings a fresh perspective on how to live life, earn money, and behave. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of self-expression, but it can cause problems for older folks who just can’t get used to the behavior of the youth.
This is exactly what millennials and boomers have been facing in the workplace, as they can’t seem to wrap their heads around everything Gen Zers do. This list is full of stories of complaints, laments, and shock over the younger generation’s corporate etiquette that might give everyone a laugh and a reality check.
#61
Showing up 15-30 Mins late everyday and leaving 30 early even after being talked to about it.
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2points
#62
They don't understand file structures on computers. Like, files in nested folders. I think because files are stored in an app on a phone, thinking about them this way is less intuitive than those of us who came of age on desktops. It's like all files exist at the same "level." Meaning, they can't navigate file systems, an every day task in most workplaces. It's the same for boomers. Everything is on the desktop or it doesn't exist.
Also, this is weird, but I don't think they know how to follow a sequential list of instructions. Random small instructions thrown at them that help them solve one very specific problem seem good, but sitting down and following a list of sequential instructions seems completely foreign to them.
Also, this is weird, but I don't think they know how to follow a sequential list of instructions. Random small instructions thrown at them that help them solve one very specific problem seem good, but sitting down and following a list of sequential instructions seems completely foreign to them.
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2points
#63
Etiquette and manners. When colleagues make a mistake, I don’t mind helping them, but I do expect a “thank you.” And if they mess up again, and I have to take time out of my day and toggle over cognitively to address their thing, some kind of apology or accountability is expected. I repeatedly get “ooh I didn’t know that. Okay.” And then next time “haha oops!” or the Gen Z face (which actually enrages me bc I’m the one that should be making that face in this particular instance).
Ultimately it’s fine, bc it’s a job and we’re paid to make sure things get done, but the lack of consideration of others becomes obvious at a certain point, and eventually I’m just sending these issues up the chain.
Ultimately it’s fine, bc it’s a job and we’re paid to make sure things get done, but the lack of consideration of others becomes obvious at a certain point, and eventually I’m just sending these issues up the chain.
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2points
#65
Working 5 days a week, 8 hours a day is hard as hell for some gen z people. Multiple calls of being sick, unable to make it into work. Most are genuinely ill, but there's a handful who lie and do it on the regular each month. Being in a team is really difficult to manage when you can't really rely on each member always showing up. Especially when there's someone on annual leave along with sickness.
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2points
#66
Take criticism from us Elders constructively, never personally. Your generation has strong emotions - which isnt a bad quality but learn to receive vs react. (I hope that makes sense!) Most of us are just like you, with the advantage of trial and error under our belts! We learned some things the hard way YIKES and some things came easy.... So trust us to pass along what we can to you.
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2points
#67
Boomers considered it rude to say "no problem" instead of "your welcome" when I was a teen in the 00s.
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2points
#68
A friend who works in a law library informally records how often the summer associates and then new associates from school actually thank him after training and setting up their accounts. It’s dropped dramatically in recent years.
I don’t take that entirely as a generational issue as a privilege issue, but still worth noting.
I don’t take that entirely as a generational issue as a privilege issue, but still worth noting.
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2points