The Decline of Soft Skills Amongst Gen Z Employees: A Case Presentation and Possible Solutions?
The shift caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications on all aspects of life. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the world was thrust into a virtual environment for the first time, which forced us to adjust to different forms of communication and lifestyles. Now that Generation Z is entering the workforce post-pandemic, in person, a significant challenge is presented to this age group and their employers. Generation Z, defined by the demographic cohort born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, has had significant challenges alternating their behavior and communication styles after being stuck in a virtual environment for over two years (Maritiz, 2023). In 2020, Gen Z’s were further defined as those who were entering high school to those in the middle of their undergraduate academic programs. This age group has paved the way to dominate spaces where technical skills are needed, however, their ability to navigate and excel in interpersonal relationships and in-person collaborative settings is significantly lacking (Castro, 2023). Gen Z employees often have difficulty communicating effectively, especially when asking for help, and face challenges in forging positive collaborations with colleagues (Castro, 2023). The transition into a fully remote world has negatively impacted Gen Z and hindered the development of essential soft skills needed in a traditional work environment. Soft skills are defined as people skills. Soft skills include but are not limited to communication, interpersonal skills, negotiation skills, networking skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, time management, and public speaking skills (Castro, 2023). This article explores the challenges faced by Generation Z employees in adapting to a fully “traditional” work environment and the impact that this has on their soft skills in preparation for an in-person work environment. Finally, this article will explore different recommendations for what employers can do to help their Gen Z employees develop soft skills, as well as what Gen Z employees can do themselves to develop these skills. A Hard Transition ~ Gen Z’s voices