The “Gen Z stare”, a social phenomenon being popularized on TikTok and other social media platforms, reveals an unusual behavior among the current workforce that has been causing frustration in customers, employers and coworkers.
The “Gen Z Stare”
The “Gen Z stare” is typically described as a long, lifeless and blank stare in response to questions or social interactions. It most commonly occurs during interactions in the workplace between someone from Generation Z (born from 1997-2012) and the general public. Gen Z expresses having this reaction to situations such as whenever a boss makes an out of touch joke or during small talk.
This phenomenon has become a frustration for employers and customers because it is seen as rude and unprofessional from a conventional perspective. In fact, a recent survey showed that 51% of managers were frustrated with Gen Z employees and 27% avoided hiring this generation.
However, further analysis reveals an underlying issue that is more than just disconnected stares that frustrates employers. Rather, it is the increasing generational disconnect between employee communication and expectations.
Understanding Gen Z Values
In understanding Gen Z, it is important to consider the different economic and social structures of the world they grew up in. These differences will inevitably cause variances in the value systems between generations. This generation was raised with school shootings, an overuse of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to these reasons, Gen Zers have witnessed or experienced high levels of stress and anxiety over the past years.
The combination of these events with the recent pushes in mental health awareness has subsequently led many to prioritize their own mental well-being over following a stressful working culture.
Another study found that over a third of Gen Zers lack energy or feel mentally distant from their job because of persistent feelings of negativity or cynicism. Therefore, having emotional support inside companies became a must-have for the majority of the “Zoomers”.
Young people increasingly seek jobs at corporations that care about their employees and as a matter of fact, a recent survey showed that almost two-thirds of Gen Z workers would leave their current role if a new position offered better mental health support.
Moreover, just like emotional well-being is a key factor in workplaces, having purpose-driven work is essential as well. Gen Z seeks more than just payrolls; they search for goal-oriented occupations to find meaning in.
The younger workforce wants their work to be aligned with personal values and this sense of purpose is crucial for 86% of Gen Zers. This generation cares strongly about a company’s values, especially environmental and social responsibility.
Gen Z also looks for a trend in work norms that have been recently established during COVID: a flexible work arrangement. Having hybrid work or flexible hours is highly desired by the new workers.
This desire is partially related to the fact that having flexibility in work assists in managing stress and keeping a balance between life and work. They look for places that understand mental health needs, not only task performance.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations
Interpreting the disconnect between generations begins with understanding both perspectives. Businesses are frequently run by older generations, like Gen X (1965-1980) or Boomers (1946-1964), who were raised in a culture that prioritized long shifts, strict hierarchies and productivity.
Many workers from these older generations are keeping their jobs later in life than their predecessors, which increases issues. With the higher up positions filled, many young workers have little to work towards as promotions are unlikely. Instead of the old school ideas of “working your way up” the new generations are constrained in the lower levels without incentive to try.
On top of the lack of motivation comes the lack of support. As mental health declines in America, older generations continue to stigmatize the issue as a whole. While younger people are more accepting of concepts like mental health days and generally supportive of seeking mental health care, the older generations in charge of the workplace maintain a resistance.
So, despite society having rapid development in mental health awareness, the reality is that most workplaces have not shifted their traditional structures and still adopt a system that does not address the new generation’s needs.
While it is possible to see advances in mental health necessities in every field, most workplaces maintain stagnant work norms. This disparity between the new needs of young workers and immobile values is what causes disappointment in Gen Z work expectations.
In essence, the emotionless gaze depicted by the “Gen Z stare” is just a reflection of a working culture that does not advocate for the well-being of its workers. It is unrealistic to expect an excited reaction from employees who do not feel appreciated or valued.
Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that the “Gen Z stare” was never a problem with the new generation, it is just a reaction to a current challenge. The detachment of younger workers’ needs and outdated work values resulting in unengaged work performance.
