Recruiting and retaining Gen Z employees can be a great challenge for many organizations. But it is hard to avoid the fact that there has been a significant increase in job transitions and turnover rates in recent years. This means it is now more important than ever to understand the shifting needs and expectations of the Gen Z population. 

Today's workplace is becoming increasingly dominated by Gen Z. This generation is expected to compose at least 27% of the workforce by 2025 and 30% by 2030. 33% of Gen Z ages 16 to 19 have already joined the workforce. In order to meet demand, brands are hiring 15% more college graduates this year compared to the year before. 

Yet managers are having a tough time engaging and maintaining Gen Z employees. In fact, organizations are struggling to get Gen Z workers to fit in comfortably with their teams. Many managers have also said that Gen Z is the toughest generation to manage  in the workplace. 

There are actually a few factors pushing the Gen Z hiring gap. One of them is the Great Reshuffle pushing out young workers first, causing Gen Z to see high numbers in layoffs and furloughs compared to other generations. Another component is the excessive tension in the workplace caused by negative headlines from news and research that have led to hostile responses from both employees and employers. Therefore it’s not surprising that more than half of Gen Z employees are likely to go back on their job offer. 

A third factor involves employees and employers having contrasting career expectations. Many Gen Z talent are quitting within just 12 months of employment and are changing jobs at least five times. The resulting turnover rates are costing companies a lot of time and money as well as creating big gaps in the workforce. But what will it take to keep Gen Z on payroll? 

Knowing how to recruit and retain Gen Z can help companies identify the forces that are playing a role in the changing workforce. We need to first establish expectations clearly, even before employees start their jobs. This includes being clear about salary details, daily expectations, and growth opportunities. 

Being transparent as a company is also crucial, especially when it comes to responsibilities, check-ins with supervisors, and recognition for their work. Gen Z values respect as well as it promotes better mental health in an era where it matters a lot. With the COVID pandemic having disrupted the professional and personal lives of many Gen Zers, being able to provide opportunities to grow meaningful relationships inside and outside of work has become very important. 

One of the top ways companies can attract Gen Z workers is by being intentional with their communication and developing their employee value proposition while being clear and concise. About 70% of Gen Zers want fast and frequent communication with their new employer as well. Recruiting and keeping Gen Z workers involves a lot of responsibility on the part of companies.