New research by McCrindle dispels stereotype of ‘lazy and entitled’ generation of young workers

Is the stereotype of the younger generations being “lazy and entitled” and lacking the work ethic of their older co-workers fact or fiction? Here is what the research finds.

Gen Xer and Kensi Hotel co-owner Chris Eitzen, pictured with Zoomer Bec Johnstone, believes each generation brings something to the workplace. Picture: Dean Martin

Baby Boomers might work differently to their much younger Generation Z – or Zoomers – colleagues but that doesn’t mean they work any harder, new national research reveals.

A sweeping study by McCrindle Research investigates how attitudes to work vary through the generations, from Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964 through to Gen Z – born between 1995 and 2009.

It finds the stereotype of the younger generations being “lazy and entitled” and lacking the work ethic of their older co-workers is misplaced.

McCrindle managing director and social researcher Sophie Renton said the expectation ahead of the study – involving detailed surveys with more than 1000 workers of all ages across the nation – was that there would be “a greater difference between the generations”.

“(We found) every generation values team members who work hard, are organised and approachable … everyone wants to be paired with someone who is working hard,” Ms Renton said.

Old-school or not, Baby Boomers aren’t as different in the workplace to their Generation Z colleagues as you might think, new national research reveals. Picture: Dean Martin

McCrindle social researcher Sophie Renton says the ‘intergenerational teams study’ highlights some interesting findings. Picture: supplied

The McCrindle managing director said, adding Boomers value these characteristics most, listing integrity next.

“Gen Y (or Millennials, born between 1980 and 1994) are the most likely to value confidence and intelligence … while Gen X (1965 to 1979) value team members who are proactive and adaptable,” she said.

“Growing up in a time with more discourse around mental health, Gen Z appreciates team members who are self-aware.” More than half of Gen Z (54 per cent) also prefer praise be given at least a couple of times a week, compared to 28 per cent of Gen X.

“Trust” is unanimously viewed as the most-valued workplace quality across the generations with Zoomers next rating “flexibility”, “approachable leadership” and a “fun environment” as being most important.

Cheers to a hard days work! Picture: Dean Martin

Kensi Hotel co-owner Chris Eitzen, who at 51 is a Gen Xer, coincidently also lists trust as No. 1, and says young and old make for a good workplace mix.

“Younger staff … bring new ideas to the table (and) a positive and vibrant attitude to a team while older staff can bring experience and stability to a business,” he said.

The “intergenerational teams study” finds older workers are most likely to earnestly seek out additional work to do once the day’s assigned tasks are finished with 51 per cent of Baby Boomers compared to 36 per cent of Gen Z reporting they do so.

“Older workers are much more likely to fully utilise their allocated work time compared to their younger counterparts but we have to recognise that Gen Z are actually not afraid of hard work but are just wanting to make sure they are working hard on what matters … (their) focus is achieving the objectives of the job, not just turning up to do a 9am to 5pm,” Ms Renton said.

Interestingly, each generation rates face-to-face communication as their favourite form of interaction with work colleagues.

“We were shaped in different times and do bring different perspectives and values but anytime we look at the generations, there is typically more that unites us than divides us,” Ms Renton said.