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When you think of Gen Z, your mind might go to TikTok dances and fashion trends it seems like nobody over the age of 20 could pull off. This generation has minimal to no memory of life before smartphones, and they often use their online presences to discuss social issues and activism. When it comes to their role in the workforce, however, some older generations love to poke fun at Gen Z. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most blatant examples of older people having no faith in Gen Z, with a few posts sprinkled in of people praising the youth for their fresh mindset. Keep reading to also find an interview with Amanpreet Singh Gulati, who has experience working with young Zoomers. Enjoy seeing just how vast generational divides can be, and decide for yourself how you feel about this younger generation.

Then if you’re looking for more Gen Z content, we’ve got the perfect Bored Panda piece for you to check out next right here.

#1

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Edurne
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

to be honest I'd totally do the same.. that "reward" feels like a punishment :/

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We reached out to Amanpreet Singh Gulati, marketing head of the app GoSocial and one of the people featured on this list for defending Gen Z, to hear about his experiences working with the younger generation and what inspired him to tweet about them. "In the past and present, I have hired Gen Z, and we are also working with several Gen Zers. The young minds I see around me are bursting with vigor and creativity, so I decided to write down my ideas." We also asked him if he thinks Gen Z tends to be undervalued by their elders. "It does happen sometimes, but not always. Many in the industry admire Gen Z and make sure they have equal opportunities, regardless of their age," he told us.

Next, we wanted to know what he thought about people who make assumptions about Gen Z like that they "don't want to work". "No generation can be generalized in this way," Amanpreet says. "Every generation consists of individuals of all kinds. Generation Z is more creative and tends to look for smart work than hard work, which is not necessarily a bad thing. We just need to know how to harness that different energy." Lastly, he wanted to add that, "Young minds always bring new perspectives and help you innovate. Gen Z members on your team will help you keep up with trends and changing buying behaviors. It is always great to have them on your team."

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  Gen Z, also known as Zoomers, iGen or Centennials, includes anyone born between the years 1997 and 2012. In the United States, they’re the most ethnically diverse and largest generation, making up 27% of the nation’s population. Politically, American Gen Zers tend to align themselves with millennials but with a more pessimistic mindset. 68% of them feel “the US is headed in the wrong direction”, which is more than any other older generation. These beliefs motivate many of them to be politically and socially active. While Gen Zers often get lumped into stereotypes about how fragile and sensitive they are, they also consider themselves to be the most accepting and open-minded generation. 

Almost half of Gen Z in the US is made up of minorities, and many of these young people passionately support social movements like Black Lives Matter, transgender rights and feminism. While they have grown up with access to the internet and smartphones, Gen Zers much prefer getting their entertainment through social media and streaming services, rather than traditional cable. In fact, they spend as much time on their smartphones as older generations do watching television. 

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While this generation tends to get a bad rap from their elders, they have plenty of positive qualities that are often overlooked. Their open-minded and accepting attitudes are leading us towards a more progressive society. For example, about half of Gen Zers believe same-sex marriage is positive for society, compared to only 27% of boomers. Gen Z is also more inclusive when it comes to gender identity. 59% of Gen Z says that forms asking for someone’s gender should include more options than simply “man” and “woman”, and 35% of Gen Z say they know someone personally who prefers being referred to with gender-neutral pronouns. 

We also cannot ignore the challenges Gen Z is now having to face by entering the workforce amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, this young generation of workers was particularly vulnerable to job loss due to their saturation in the high-risk service industry. With much of this generation being in college or right out of college when the pandemic hit, these kids deserve to be cut a little slack.          

#4

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Joey Marlin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All generations are a 'mixed bag' and all should be treated fairly but when people are starting out in a career why wouldn't you want to encourage, train, mentor and do what you can to get the best out of them? Treat people well and most will reward you with their best endeavours.

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Gen Z is also more concerned about taking care of their health than older generations. 72% of them view healthy eating as “an integral part of both their physical and mental health”, and 60% of them believe the pandemic’s most important effect on society will be an increased emphasis on taking care of our health. In terms of how Zoomers prefer to eat, they are more inclined to reach for whole, organic and plant-based foods, with 79% of them considering processed foods unhealthy. And while they spend countless hours scrolling through social media, some of that time is used to find healthy recipe ideas. Over half of Gen Z reports using Instagram, TikTok and advice from friends to learn how to eat healthier.

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Going plant-based is also much more popular among Gen-Z than older generations, with a staggering 79% of them opting to go meatless at least once or twice a week. Brands like Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods and Oatly have become popular among this generation, even for individuals who still include animal products in their diets. According to a study by the dairy company Arla, almost half of Gen Z even “feels shame around ordering dairy”. While that’s not what Arla wanted to hear, Zoomers are increasingly concerned about animal welfare and the environmental effects of our diets, so they’re shifting further away from animal products. It’s been proven that “ditching meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce a person’s environmental impact”, so it’s no surprise that this socially-conscious generation would rather order their coffee with oat milk than cow milk.

#8

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Amanda Black
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During the 2009 recession, I was stuck in a job I hated with a 73-year-old boss in my way who would not retire. I had no other place to go and could not move up.

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#9

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Carrie Laughs
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If people are productive and can work anywhere, why not? I think it's probably the crappiest of managers who fear this - they want to micro manage and control because they're not really up to the task of judging productivity and quality of work for itself. If they can see people at their desk with their heads down they assume they are working hard - hah! How many would be on Bored Panda having a sneaky break hmmm?? I'm self employed and part time btw so can please myself!

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On the topic of the environment, Gen Zers are very concerned about climate change and protecting the planet. In fact, it’s their number one priority, according to a Deloitte survey. Young people want to work at green companies that align with their personal values, and when it comes to their purchases, 73% of Zoomers are “willing to pay more for sustainable products”. One 19-year-old, Trinity Gbla, told CNBC, “There’s such a huge climate crisis going on in the world that you just cannot ignore. Usually, when I’m shopping, I like to see what’s ethically sourced, or if it’s environmentally friendly. Price is definitely something that’s important to me, especially because I’m a college student, so it’s like, I’m broke. But I’m willing to pay for more expensive stuff when it’s ethically sourced.”

#10

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Person
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha I forgot we ate Tide pods... Man that was funny but now we gotta deal with actually serious problems that we can't fix by just eating tide pods and recording it. Very sad, I know.

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#11

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Jessica Wood
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's probably because the generation which raised them didn't teach them basic skills.

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#12

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Joey Marlin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this someone who has gone back to a job then? The story before 'resumption' might be interesting - maybe they were persuaded back against their better judgement after being treated badly the last time so weren't going to stand for it for one second this time🤷

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College students choosing to pursue career paths focused on sustainability have also been on the rise in recent years.  A 2020 survey at the University of Southern California found that 64% of undergraduate students are “very interested in on-campus sustainability”. Jill Sohm, the director of Environmental Studies at USC, told The Guardian that her department has seen a great rise in enrollment during the last decade. “In the past, interest in the environment and sustainability was probably more of a niche interest,” says Sohm. “Whereas now I see students that are studying in many different fields across campus also have an interest in sustainability.” 32% of Gen Z has even participated in at least one “major environmental action” over the past year such as donating, volunteering, attending a rally or contacting an elected official.

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#14

Gen Z, I Salute You 😂💀

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Kylie Shepard
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not like the company would give you a two week notice that you’re being fired so…

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Gen Z is often overlooked or not taken seriously simply because they’re young, but it’s important to realize how influential they actually are. According to Forbes, Gen Z has a spending power of up to $143 billion, and they accounted for an astonishing 40% of global customers in 2020. So isn’t it important for companies and brands to understand what this generation is looking for? Well, not surprisingly, social media engagement is extremely valuable to Gen Zers. The days of Facebook have come and gone, however, with TikTok and Instagram being the younger generation’s preferred social media sites. In fact, 60% of all TikTok users belong to Gen Z. In the same vein, technologically savvy companies are important to Zoomers, who spend an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes on their phones every day. If a company wants to really impact Gen Z, their online presence is vital.     

#16

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Fenel F.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gen X job interviews: "You have no social media account, you are a weirdo, no thanks!" :P My colleagues after 2 years can't still process the simple fact, that I don't have a smartphone :D

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#18

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Anna Banana
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least the employers are finding out what happens when employees feel like they've got nothing to lose. The big bad bosses like to talk about loyalty, but they do nothing to inspire it.

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Online marketing to Gen Z also needs to be strategic and transparent, if it’s going to be effective. While these young people are often more technologically savvy than the people advertising to them, Zoomers can be brutal when it comes to dismissing companies as “cringey” or uncool. They’re searching for meaningful, personalized interactions, even from corporations. 69% of Gen Z even believe that “brands should help them achieve their goals”, and half of them claim to have stopped purchasing a brand due to their ethical practices. This socially aware generation holds fast to their morals and expects a lot out of others, including the brands they support.   

#19

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Lakota Wolf
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder where HE works! I’m gonna guess not retail or food service.

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#20

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Lakota Wolf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where are these jobs?! Sign me up! Is 40 too old? I grew up playing the FIRST video games, I should get dibs! I’m an expert! XD

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#21

Proud Of Gen Z

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Lakota Wolf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they want employees who are 60-70+ years old? There’s nothing inherently wrong with that age group as employees, but cashiers usually have to stand for 8 hours a day and that could be physically rough on the Baby Boomer generation. My mom is 78 and in great shape for her age and she can’t stay standing for more than a few hours without pain… OH WAIT this is a retail store, they don’t give a c**p about their employees’ health/pain! How silly of me.

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So why do older generations tend to think millennials don’t make valuable contributions to the workforce? Well, one reason is the difference in mindsets. The boomer mentality tends to believe that “hard work” is based on hours worked, rather than efficiency and productivity. Boomers also grew up being told that making personal sacrifices and taking the safest routes were necessary for success. They were expected to be humble and accept any conditions necessary to provide for their families. So when young jobseekers come along with a bit more concern for their quality of life, their elders can have a hard time accepting that younger generations have decided to ask for more. 

#22

Lazy Millennials And Gen Z

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Novel Idesa
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's right, because inflation made his shoes cost $150 and his coffee cost $5 but hasn't raised his wages above $7.25 somehow.

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#23

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Joey Marlin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or employers are in for a rude awakening. Stop treating people shabbily and they'll work for you and work hard. People like being treated well... shocking eh? The cost of living thing is a massive worry but paying people badly is part of the problem. Living wage not minimum wage!! We've got people at the top taking home millions and companies making massive profits and then saying 'can't pay people better' and paying peanuts to those at the bottom. It's a lie and it's wrong. People should NOT stand for it.

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Times have changed, and Generation Z has realized that working conditions in many places and positions could be better. It’s not that they don’t want to work, but many of them would prefer to quit a job than slave away at a minimum wage job with no benefits. Gen Z values productivity and efficiency to allow more time for relaxation and to care for their mental and physical health. As a generation that grew up in the digital age, Gen Z can also bring valuable innovations to companies mostly composed of older individuals. So before you dismiss the youth as entitled or lazy, realize that their priorities may just be different than their elders.  

#25

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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olx
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why give out personal info until there is a potential reason to?

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#27

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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James016
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s a lot of images for a CV. Though they should have sent a proper copy.

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While it can be entertaining to poke fun at any generation, Gen Z doesn’t necessarily deserve being made fun of more than anyone else. It’s normal for generations to have divides, but Gen Z is the future of the workforce. They’re not ruining it. Enjoy reading the rest of these posts from bitter older generations, and don’t forget to upvote the claims you find most hilarious. Then let us know in the comments how you feel about Gen Z: are you part of that generation or did you help pave the way for them? 

#28

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Fenel F.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't live your only life always thinking about, that for someone is even worst.

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#29

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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ADumpsterFire
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This person should just have @ the person they're talking about. This is such a specific tweet lol.

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#30

Older-Generations-No-Faith-In-Gen-Z-Workforce

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Ripley
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Newsflash - old people always think that young people are lazy, selfish, and without manners. This has been going on for a thousand years or more.

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Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.