Gen Z's casual language may hinder their chances in the workplace

The youngest generation has been told, 'Be yourself! But companies don't usually want workers' unvarnished selves. Employees are expected to speak and carry themselves in a way that matches the organisation's culture.

Gen Z's casual language may hinder their chances in the workplace
Photo by Daria Volkova / Unsplash
Not all employers are tolerating Gen Z’s laid-back language
In the quest to be themselves, many young workers communicate casually. It doesn’t sit well with all companies that see professionalism differently.
BBCRebecca M Knight

The article delves into the growing conflict between the informal communication style of Generation Z and the traditional expectations of professionalism in the workplace.

Younger employees, influenced by social media and digital culture, often bring a more relaxed and informal language into professional settings. However, this clashes with the established norms of professionalism upheld by older generations and corporate environments. As remote work becomes more prevalent, blurring the lines between personal and professional life, the issue of language and communication styles in the workplace becomes increasingly pertinent.

The article suggests that younger workers, may struggle to navigate these expectations, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with employers. While some argue for maintaining traditional standards of professionalism, others advocate for a more flexible approach that accommodates the evolving linguistic and cultural landscape of the modern workplace.