Gen Z doesn’t do water cooler chat. Here’s what bosses should do

They’re bold, technical and eager to progress, but Gen Z might need handholding in one area.

Gen Z deeply care about collaboration, but in a way that’s different to other generations, Google’s head of HR, Jessica Campbell said. Michael Quelch

Hannah TattersallWork and careers reporter

Apr 3, 2025 – 6.00am

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mployers should not expect young staff to chat naturally “around the water cooler”, but instead should provide structured settings for socialising and peer-to-peer collaboration, human resources professionals say.

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Hannah TattersallWork and careers reporterHannah Tattersall is a work and careers reporter for The Australian Financial Review, focusing on executive education.