If you’ve been running around the internet recently, you’ve probably seen an article or two about how companies are firing Gen Z almost as quickly as they hire them.

According to Newsweek, “a whopping six in 10 employers had already fired college graduates who were hired in 2024. One in seven said they might refrain from hiring new college grads next year as well.”

Kind of a crazy stat IMO. The main themes on why they’re firing Gen Z can be really boiled down to this:

• Gen Z lacks motivation

• Lack of professionalism & poor communication skills

• We have a difficult time adapting to traditional work environments

The Personality Hire’s Take:

“Gen Z lacks motivation”

Hard disagree.

In general, I know so many ambitious, motivated, and hardworking Gen Zers who really care about the work they do: both in their 9-5 jobs and in their side hustles.

They’re checking Slack at midnight, logging on early, and even forgoing parties and social events to “lock in” on a Friday night.

The employers in the article may have been referring to enthusiasm for the work being done in the 9-5, but I think the reason why my generation isn’t acting like their day job is the be-all end-all is because, well, it isn’t.

These days, we have so many tools at our fingertips— tools our parents and older generations didn’t have.

We can start companies on iPhones, make an extra $1,000 a month from 30-second TikToks, or be “non-traditionally” successful in a multitude of different ways.

As a generation, we’re more motivated by our own definitions of success: retiring at 35, having $X amount of money in the bank, etc.

Gen Z doesn’t feel the need to fully rely on a traditional job to have the life that they want.

“Lack of professionalism”

Lowkey…….true.

I think Gen Z is definitely guilty of being overly casual.

I am SO GUILTY of walking in day one to a new place of work and saying “slay🤪” to literally everything and calling my boss “dude” or “bro.” (I think they loved it though)

On the surface, not the most appropriate way to communicate with senior leadership.

And, I’m probably a bad example because I’ve only ever experienced extremely casual & remote work environments where everyone’s entire personalities are welcome.

But I did wonder why my default mode of “work communication” was so laid back.

I think Covid is a huge reason for this. Zoom graduations, internships though a screen, working 99% of the time alone in my apartment. Gen Z never really went through the process of what ‘gets you ready’ to work with adults. Are there rules?

Never had the experience of wearing a pantsuit to a conference room to tell the VP of whatever that I’m circling back.

With remote work being the norm, we have to be our normal, fun selves from the same seat at the kitchen table where we’re supposed to be our professional selves.

Lines are blurred and if were being honest. I think we’re all wearing sweatpants anyway.

Btw, yapped on TikTok about this too:

@bellarosemortel

personality hire’s thoughts on gen z getting fired #genz #genzatwork #personalityhire #genzvsmillenial

“Difficult time adapting to traditional work environments”

Yeah.

Regardless if you end up working IRL or remote, going from student to work is crazy.

You don’t realize how structured school actually is until you get to a work environment where you have to decide your own deadlines for things and how to prioritize projects, etc.

A lot of Gen Z also want a strong work-life balance, flexibility, and as much autonomy as possible. That’s why there’s a bit more clash when it comes to more corporate or structured company cultures.

Maybe managers can help with this part. Idk, I’ll let y’all know when I get there.

But can we also talk about the Office Sirens trend?????

It’s branded as business casual for ‘hot girls,’ but I fear the girlies have taken it too far😭 

Please I’m begging you do not wear your Danielle Guizio mini skirt to your job at JP Morgan Chase. That’s actually insane behavior.

The hottest thing a girl can do is know the outfit vibe. Some fits I threw when I had my hybrid internship back in the day:

That’s it from me today!

Xo,

Bella Rose