Companies are firing Gen Z employees soon after hiring them. What's behind their job struggles?

Generation Z is beginning to enter a workforce that isn't fully prepared for them.

As many recent graduates face complaints about how they fit into the workplace, employers report increasing hesitancy in hiring them, according to a report by the education and career advisory platform, Intelligent.

The report, which was based on a survey of nearly 1,000 hiring managers, found that one in six employers were reluctant to hire Gen Z workers mainly due to their reputation for being entitled and easily offended.

Moreover, more than half said that this generation, which refers to people born between 1997 and the early 2010s, lacks a strong work ethic, struggles with communication, doesn't handle feedback well, and is generally unprepared for the demands of the workforce.

Holly Schroth, senior lecturer at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, explained that Gen Z's focus on extracurricular activities to boost their college competitiveness rather than gaining job experience has led to "unrealistic expectations" about the workplace and how to deal with their bosses.

"They [Gen Z] don't know basic skills for social interaction with customers, clients, and co-workers, nor workplace etiquette," Schroth told Euronews Next in an email.

"As a result, it is up to the company to properly onboard the new employee and give ample training. In addition, the boss needs to act as a coach as well as a manager," she added.

Why are so many companies firing Gen Z workers?

Around six in ten companies included in the survey reported firing a recent university graduate they hired this year.

Some of the cited reasons behind these decisions included a lack of motivation from the employees, lack of professionalism, and poor communication skills, among others.

"Many recent college graduates may struggle with entering the workforce for the first time as it can be a huge contrast from what they are used to throughout their education journey. They are often unprepared for a less structured environment, workplace cultural dynamics, and the expectation of autonomous work," Huy Nguyen, Intelligent's chief education and career development advisor, said in a statement.

"Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack the practical, real-world experience and soft skills required to succeed in the work environment," he added.

The hiring managers surveyed also reported that some of their Gen Z workers struggled to manage their workload, were frequently late, and did not dress or speak appropriately.

A separate report from April found that Generation Z workers were overly reliant on parental support during their job search.

According to the survey that was conducted by ResumeTemplates and which included responses from nearly 1,500 young job seekers, 70 per cent admitted to asking their parents for help in the job search process.

Another 25 per cent even brought their parents to interviews, while many others had their parents submit job applications and write resumes for them.

How to get a job as a recent graduate

To improve their chances of being hired, employers emphasised that some of the top qualities they are looking for include initiative and a positive attitude.

Managers also placed value on real-world experience, either through internships or jobs and, to a lesser degree, on having an appropriate social media presence, and avoiding political discussions.

"Recent graduates starting their first job should demonstrate professionalism, not by conforming to outdated norms, but by being respectful and committed to their work," Nguyen said.

Schroth added that although employers are currently hesitant to hire Gen Z due to a higher rate of dismissals and challenges integrating them into the workforce, they still make up over 25 per cent of the workforce.

"As a result, companies need to spend more money and time on training and their Gen Zs will thrive," she concluded.