Various surveys have suggested that Generation Z employees are some of the most challenging to manage, but the truth is, they just aim to work smarter, not necessarily harder.
The trend of the ‘Lazy Girl Job’ aligns with this mindset, as does the concept of quiet quitting and the increasing number of career-focused individuals choosing jobs primarily for the flexibility they offer.
While many Gen Z employees, typically aged 12 to 27, are content to do their job and clock out as soon as possible, others are motivated to find ways to work independently, stepping away from traditional millennial and boomer management styles.
One company with a team primarily made up of young, business-focused individuals is Socially Speaking Media, a Manchester-based agency.
This award-winning social media firm, which has previously collaborated with Netflix and Grace Beverley’s brand Shreddy, has recently shared how its workplace practices are designed to fit well with its Gen Z staff.
In a TikTok video posted in July, the founder of Socially Speaking Media appeared alongside one of her team members to discuss the company’s unique management style.
The video, captioned ‘Controversial ways I run my Gen-Z team’, featured the boss outlining one of the key policies she has chosen to put in place.
“A few months ago, I posted a TikTok that got so much hate on it, and it was basically explaining rules to work in a Gen Z office.”
“The biggest ones that seemed to get the most hate was when I was saying I have a ‘If the work gets done’ policy,” she explained.
“Basically do what you want as long as the work gets done.”
“You want to work from home, watch a film while you work – I personally think I’d rather have that if I was working for someone else because that’s what works best for me.”
She reasoned that on certain days, her staff may feel especially tired, so she understands their desire to work from home in those instances.
“I can see why people get annoyed about it when people take the mick with it,” she admitted.
After introducing the controversial approach, she asked her team member if the added flexibility made her feel appreciated as part of the company.
“If I want a day where I listen to music or a podcast and that’s going to make me motivated to do more work, [then] that’s obviously better than [being] sat in the office in silence or no one talking,” the associate responded.
Interestingly, Socially Speaking Media is not alone in adapting to the needs of its Gen Z workforce.
In Australia, PR firm leader Jessy Marshall has also shared her approach, which includes allowing her younger employees to leave early if they have completed all their tasks.
“[Gen Z] are much better at saying they feel pushed or exhausted or they don’t feel like themselves and need to take time out,” she told news.com.au.
“They are good at setting boundaries but they are also very good at making sure they work in their allocated time.”
“On Fridays, I say to the girls, ‘once your work is done, log off’ where we can we log off early, particularly on Fridays, so they can give themselves an extra-long weekend.”
Marshall expressed that she feels ‘really proud’ of the work her six Gen Z staff members contribute to her Sydney-based firm.
She further added that she recognizes their work style as one that values ‘output over hustle culture’.
