Gen Z's Faux Pas When It Comes To "Corporate" Jobs
I recently read an article posted by BBC on a Gen Z employee who was fired for failing to meet and maintain professional standards within a corporate role. Now, keeping in mind the fact that I was not there for this happening and am only commenting on what’s been made public by the media, this article was interesting for me.
The article caught my attention for a number of reasons:
I will always be interested in the tides of the workforce
I will always have my ear to how the different generations are fairing in various roles as society changes before all of our eyes
As someone who has occupied a number of roles and spaces, I am always curious about the ways that those roles grow, shape and mold the future leaders and change-makers of those spaces and how it rids itself of the riff-raff.
The workforce, from top to bottom, is so interesting to me. I guess I’m from a time where people took jobs and took pride in their work no matter the title. Now, this, of course, won’t be the case for every single person. I’m sure there were people out there who hated their roles, titles and took no pride in their jobs so they had a mission to do the absolute bare minimum and then did. But, again, I’m from a time where I worked for a partner at a prestigious law firm and his favorite stories to tell were of those of his first job at McDonald’s — a job that I don’t see many of you taking pride in on the few unfortunate times that I have to go to a McDonald’s.
Not to regularly cite to the thoughts and mind of Trevor Noah, but I was recently graced by his mountainous presence at his comedy show in Seattle and he discussed this topic also! He brought up a great point:
Why would we work our fingers to the bone to still not be able to afford to live, buy houses, pay rent, etc.?
Put this way, I get it! But, the issue is, if you’re not wanting to work, then simply don’t!
My problem is the fact that there are people who don’t want to work because it’s no longer lucrative or worth-while and yet they’re still occupying space within the workforce. They’re serving food with disregard, they’re waiting tables without following rules and customs, and they’re taking up space in lackluster manners when there are people, who would love to occupy those roles instead, who are willing to work. That’s the part that gets under my skin! Because now, if I ever choose to eat out, I have to worry about your bad kid who doesn’t follow the rules, hates his job and who likes to spit in food for fun! I don’t want that!
Again, no one understands the pointlessness of the grind more than me. As someone who used to identify and count herself only in measures of what work I was doing… I get it! For years it’s seemed to be the case that, no matter the job, no matter the title, no matter the degree, experience or pay, it was never enough to survive and do/get the basic things that we need to even show up to work (i.e. a home or a place to rest our heads at night and store our clothes). I get it.
But, I don’t get taking the job from someone who may be ready and willing do it just to complain about it constantly, provide terrible service to customers (who have done nothing to you, mind you), and blaming it on the fact that ‘it’s not worth it to work anymore’.
finally
You’re not getting out here without hearing my take on how we are showing up to work these days. I recently watched The Players on Netflix and found myself completely frustrated by their take on office-attire.
I am definitely an old lady trapped in a 30-something’s body so bear with me here. I struggle with how we, as a society, are showing up to professional events and with how relaxed our language is in said events.
As a professor at a university, I get some of the most relaxed emails from students that you’d swear we were friends, and we are not. Getting the younger generations to understand that there is a time and place for everything is difficult when the message is also “be whoever you want to be” (and we don’t talk about how dangerous that is today where people aspire to be serial killers, but I digress). It’s difficult to find the fine line and it’s even more difficult to talk about workplace fashion (or lack thereof) without it coming off in a certain way. We say “tighten up” and they assume we mean Little House on the Prairie skirts. We do not. We just mean, I don’t want to see the top of your thighs, the bottom of your belly and men I don’t want to see your thongs through your pants at the workplace! That’s it!
I think that workplace attire is something that we should continue to discuss because it’s important. And putting our best foot forward is still important, so we should certainly be discussing what that looks like as the times change. I think these would be lovely conversations to have if they can be had openly, honestly and with different types of employers involved. I want to chat to the restaurant industry, the fast food industry, corporate America, lawyers, bankers, accountants, doctors, therapists, etc.
How are we dressing at work? How are we speaking at work? Is it a reflection of us? Of our company?
The Players on Netflix
The Players on Netflix
Best,
Bree