Gen Z, defined as those born from 1997 onward, is being described by a high percentage of employers as the most challenging generation to work with. According to a 2024 survey by Resume Genius, 45% of hiring managers identified Gen Z as the most difficult generation, compared to 26% for Millennials, 13% for Gen X, and 9% for Baby Boomers.
A 2023 Resume Builder poll found even more striking results, with 74% of managers and business leaders calling Gen Z the hardest to work with. Nearly two-thirds (59%) said they had fired a Gen Z worker, and 20% had done so within a week of hiring them. Another 27% had fired a Gen Z employee within a month.
Managers in the Resume Builder survey cited several reasons why they find Gen Z difficult to work with. The top issues were:
Lack of technological skills (39%)
Lack of effort, motivation, or productivity (37% each)
Easily distracted (36%)
Poor communication skills (36%)
Easily offended (35%)
Despite these criticisms, some employers see a positive side. Adam Garfield, the marketing director at Hairbro, told Resume Builder that Gen Z workers are "highly innovative and adaptable." He noted that they "are not afraid to challenge the status quo" and "bring new ideas to the table." However, he also pointed out that their communication skills could be improved, particularly in face-to-face interactions. Similarly, Rob Gold, a marketing communications vice-president at Intermedia, suggested that Gen Zers could benefit from learning to leverage collective knowledge rather than trying to solve problems on their own.
Generational Conflict Isn't a New Phenomenon
The tension between Gen Z and their managers is not a new issue in the professional world. In the 2010s, a Robert Walters recruitment consultancy poll revealed a similar conflict between Millennials and previous generations. That survey found that 70% of employers highlighted the Millennials' pursuit of rapid career progression as a particular source of friction.
With Gen Z now becoming a larger part of the workforce, the dynamics are shifting. A June 2025 survey by Resume.io highlights what this new generation wants from their jobs. Gen Z workers are focused on improving work-life balance. Thirty percent of those surveyed identified a four-day work week as a top priority. They also want recreational spaces in the office and support for neurodiverse employees.
Bethany Watson of Resume.io sees this as a positive sign, stating that Gen Z's "strong advocacy for inclusivity...signals a future where equity, accessibility, and wellness will be at the heart of workplace expectations."
Geoffrey Scott, a senior hiring manager at Resume Genius, echoes this sentiment. He believes that while Gen Z may have a "bad rep," they have the "power to transform workplaces for the better." Scott says Gen Z brings a "unique blend of talent and bold ideas that can rejuvenate any workforce."