Millennials out as Gen Z moves front and centre

Generation Z's entrepreneurial and innovative nature is a key factor in the future of the workplace, according to Spaceworks CEO Lizzi Whaley.

Whaley says Gen Z are the 'ones to watch', as they move into New Zealand's leading organisations and businesses - while millennials start to take a back seat.

"Employers can take a leaf out of Gen Z's book with advancements in technology in force and exploration of digital realms on the rise," she explains.

"Whilst Millennials are still the talk of office life – how to deal with them, how to accommodate them; fast coming up in their steps is Generation Z.

With their top age sitting around 23/24 years old, Gen Z has never known a world without digital technology.

According to Spaceworks, 62% of Gen Z anticipate challenges working with Baby Boomers and Generation X; only 5 percent anticipate challenges working with Millennials. They also found 72% of Gen Z expect to work harder than previous generations.

Spaceworks reports that while millennials became optimistic, 'thanks to their encouraging Baby Boomer parents and growing up in a time of prosperity and opportunity', Generation Z will be realistic, thanks to their sceptical and straight-shooting Generation X parents and growing up in a recession.

According to Pew Charitable Trusts, during the Great Recession, the median net worth of Generation Z's parents fell by nearly 45 percent. 71% of Gen Z said they believe the phrase "If you want it done right, then do it yourself."

"Millennials pioneered many of the digital communication tools (texting, instant messaging, Slack, etc.) that have made the workplace more efficient and effective but some would argue less personable," says Whaley.

"Equipped with their experience communicating using full sight, sound, and motion over Skype, FaceTime, Snapchat, etc., Generation Z is positioned as the ideal generation to finally strike the right balance between online and offline workplace communications.