Business Leaders Say Young Hires Are Sensitive and Unprepared for Work

Alright, let me lay it out for you like a true New Yorker would:

Gen Z in the Workplace: A NYC Perspective

So, you think Gen Z is the next big thing in your company? Well, think again. Got bosses saying these newbies are lazy, too sensitive, and just not ready for the real world.

What the Poll Says

A poll by Intelligent.com surveyed 966 business leaders last month, and guess what? A whopping 75% of execs claimed most recent college grads are flopping at work. Even worse, 60% of these fresh faces got the boot. Yeah, you read that right.

Taking It Easy or Too Easy?

Corporate environments have chilled out in recent years. Office culture isn’t what it was. Yet, Gen Zers still ain’t hitting the mark. They show up late and miss deadlines. Don’t believe me? Nearly 20% of bosses said these kids can’t even show up on time. Another 15% said they miss deadlines regularly.

Dressing the Part, or Not

Forget suits and ties. These young guns don’t dress the part. About 19% of execs said recent college grads have no clue how to dress professionally or talk right. It’s like showing up to a Yankees game in a Red Sox jersey—just ain’t gonna fly.

Tech-Savvy But What Else?

Huy Nguyen, formerly a big shot at a Fortune 500 company, says, “Gen Z has a ton of access to info, but it doesn’t always mesh with traditional norms.” So, while they might be wizards with tech, they’re struggling with the basics.

Communication Breakdown

Jessen James, a business guru, nailed it. These kids don’t look you in the eye, can’t project their voice, and lack basic charisma. Good luck impressing anyone without those skills. Heck, some of them even bring their parents to job interviews. No joke.

The Big Boys’ Take

The bosses ain’t happy. Among them, about 17% find Gen Z “too difficult” to manage and 39% think their communication skills are MIA. Forget handling pressure; some of these kids crack like an egg under the slightest strain.

Say Hello to Snowflakeism

Oh, did I mention “snowflakeism”? Yeah, some Gen Zers can’t take even a hint of pressure. James puts it like this: “You have to walk on eggshells around them.” One little push and they’re crying like it’s the end of the world.

More Than Just No-Shows

Recent studies also show that Gen Z uses up their sick days faster than you can say “sick leave.” Here’s more info. And, it seems work-life balance means logging off right on the dot—no extra mile here.

Bosses Fighting Back

What’s the reaction from the top? Simple. Bosses are rolling out “office etiquette training.” About 54% of them make it mandatory for all new hires. Almost a quarter of these programs are aimed straight at Gen Z recruits.

Plan B: Performance Improvement Plans

Before a pink slip, nearly 80% of companies try to whip these guys into shape with “performance improvement plans.” No point in firing if a little coaching can help, right?

The Way Forward

So what’s the move? Adapt, folks. Meet them halfway. Nguyen believes bridging generational gaps is the smart play. “More and more Gen Zers will enter the workforce—they’re here to stay,” he says. Adapt or get left behind.

Here’s the deal: Gen Z has strengths but also numerous gaps. It’s on the companies to either bridge that gap or keep looking for the perfect hire.

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