How we can better utilise our Gen Z workforce

Many HR professionals managing part-time and casual workers are at the frontline of the national labour shortage crisis. WorkJam commissioned research into the working preferences of Gen Z to better understand and utilise this generation in the workplace. After all, Gen Z makes up 20 per cent of the Australian population.

This is a time when retaining employees has never been more important. The hiring process can be lengthy and expensive. Therefore, we need to place high importance on understanding our staff and utilising them to their full potential.

From our research, we can see what Gen Zs look for in a casual role: it found employees are after more work hours, flexibility with assigned shifts, career progression through training, and better management.

Interestingly, the factors that drove these employees away from their workplaces were ones that are preventable. They included poor management and lack of communication, inadequate work hours, and recognition. Paying close attention to these factors and checking in with your employees can lead to longevity in your workplace.

Technology plays a major role in creating convenience for workplaces. We know Gen Z is a generation that has grown up with technology, with the expectation for it to be integrated into their work life. Digital workplaces provide employees with the opportunity to have a digital flexible shift workplace, streamline their communications, and tailor tools for learning and assessment.

There’s a misconception that Gen Zs are unwilling to work hard, however, our data proves otherwise. Nearly one in three Gen Z employees are assigned fewer than 10 hours per week, when their desire is to work more hours.

Our research provided us with an understanding that this generation is willing to work – so willing in fact, they’re prepared to travel to multiple locations to pick up additional shifts. Furthermore, revealing that Gen Zs are actually more inclined to apply for a job if additional shifts are an option.

An open-shift workplace provides flexibility for this generation to pick and choose when and where they work. It also provides the flexibility to give up a shift at the last minute if plans come about.

This type of workplace is not only beneficial to employees but for the business as a whole. This provides HR with an indication of how many hours of work their staff are after, how involved their staff are with learning/assessment tools and ultimately provides insight into their satisfaction within the workplace.

The research we conducted provides valuable insight into the working preferences of Gen Z, confirming that organisations need to better utilise this workforce.

It seems crazy to think, in a time when there is a labour shortage, people who want more hours of work are not receiving them. Organisations should consider ways to onboard a digital workplace if they haven’t already. With the labour shortage crisis showing no signs of easing, this challenge we face encourages organisations to consider new opportunities.

Andrew Myers is the managing director (APAC) at WorkJam