Why employers should be worried about the Gen Z stare

I have two Gen Z children, so I thought I knew what the Gen Z stare looked like. But then, last week, I ran into a former Gen Z colleague at a train station. And that's when I really saw it. She looked at me blankly, as if she had no idea whether she should say hello or stop and chat.

The "Gen Z stare" is a recent concept that has caused a stir on TikTok and grabbed headlines. It is characterized by a disengaged, bored expression from an employee or customer service representative. The (often older) recipients of the stare usually jump to the conclusion that the Gen Z-er in question thinks they are above it all.

I don't believe this is usually the case. In fact, I think the stare could signal something far more serious. Due to a combination of economic, social, environmental, geopolitical, and technological factors, this generation is in crisis. They're getting more lost and overwhelmed every year. And let's remember, this is also the generation that will be running our organizations and caring for our elderly and our planet in 20 years.

What's really going on?

The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health recently released a new global study detailing the unique challenges of today's twenty-somethings. It found that six in 10 Gen Z-ers feel overwhelmed by current news events, four in 10 feel they can't speak out about their mental health, and only about half (55%) believe they have effective coping mechanisms to support their well-being.

Gen Z-ers are struggling to get their footing in a landscape of disappearing entry-level roles, high cost of living, flat wages, and the constant threat of another recession. According to ManpowerGroup's Talent Barometer study, 86% of Gen Z-ers are stressed about their financial situation. Gen Z workers were the most likely (46%) of all age groups to say they will voluntarily leave their roles in the next six months. But, they were also the least confident they could find a new job that meets their needs. Gen Z-ers were also the most likely (52%) to experience workplace stress on a daily basis.

The Gen Z stare isn't disrespect; it's much deeper. And we should be worried about it.

What can employers do?

1. Education: The first order of business is managerial training. Bosses of Gen Z workers need to understand the weight of what this generation is dealing with and how that can manifest in everyday interactions. They should also realize that the pandemic and ever-present use of screens have done a number on in-person communication skills. Your Gen Z-er might not be trying to be rude; they just don't know how to sustain eye contact or show that they're listening.

2. Effort: Like many younger generations before it, Gen Z responds to authenticity. Leaders need to clearly and consistently communicate their value proposition and purpose with contagious enthusiasm. They should go the extra mile to solicit Gen Z's feedback on the organization's direction and enlist young employees to assist where possible.

3. Empowerment: Gen Z-ers are not ones to buy into traditional corporate hierarchies, especially in the age of AI, where individual employees have more tools to make decisions independently. If your Gen Z employees seem checked out and are giving you the stare, give them a structure where they can take ownership of specific workflows and get job responsibilities done more efficiently.

4. Enablement: This sounds like dealing with software rather than people, but its meaning is critical. Many leaders are decreasing their entry-level hires because they'd rather bring in people who allegedly know how to work with AI. This is short-sighted and reactive, with zero consideration given to succession planning. Gen Z workers should be enabled to take the reins with ongoing opportunities to learn and grow with the organization in a flexible, nurturing environment.

5. Empathy: As you can probably gather by now, I'm going to say this is a bad time to cut back on your employee support benefits, such as mental health counseling and physical wellness programs. Through commitment to empathic initiatives, demonstrate that you genuinely care about your Gen Z-ers' well-being, sympathize with their challenges, and that they can lean on their leaders in times of distress.

The Gen Z stare can be disconcerting - I get it. Let's remember that behind it is a young human who, in all likelihood, needs our help. Our collective future depends on us providing it.