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‘Snowflakeism’ Gen Z hires are easily offended, and not ready for workplace: business leaders

Never don't be late on business meeting. Worried businessman looking at his watch on the way to office. Business, lifestyle concept

The dismal assessment of workers born between 1996 and 2010 comes in a poll of 966 business leaders across the country taken last month by the online education magazine Intelligent.com.

The survey found 75% of execs felt most of the recent college grads they hired were unsuccessful — and 60% said at least some of them had to be fired.

The supervisors, who ranged from C-suite execs and business owners to senior and human resources managers at companies with more than 10 employees, said they’ll refrain from hiring Gen Z workers in the coming year.

“With Gen Z, they’ve got a ton of access to information, a lot of different content, news sources and influences,” said Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor for Intelligent, and a former Fortune 500 hiring manager.

“So when they go into a company that has more traditional norms, you get a situation where it doesn’t always mesh,” he told The Post.

About 17% of leaders believe Gen Z, who range in age from their teens to about 28, is often “too difficult” to manage, and 39% said they have poor communication skills.

Jessen James, an international entrepreneur, business mentor and speaker, said some Gen Zers struggle to articulate themselves, don’t look you in the eye, and don’t project their voices.

“They lack charisma and personality skills,” he told The Post, adding, “I don’t feel they are in tune with what it takes to impress others.”

James has seen what he calls “snowflakeism” — some Gen Zers “crumbling” under even a little pressure.

“It’s almost like you have to walk on eggshells around them, being super sensitive when managing them, in case you offend them, upset them, or push them too far,” he said.

Some twentysomethings have even brought a parent with them to job interviews for support.

Corporate environments and office culture have relaxed in recent years, Nguyen noted, and are viewed differently between generations.

But even with a more laid back office environment, recent college grads don’t dress professionally and don’t use “appropriate” language for work, 19% of those surveyed said.

Corporate environments and office culture have relaxed in recent years, Nguyen noted, and are viewed differently between generations.

“A lot of these responses matched up with general stereotypes of how people talk about Gen Z in general,” Nguyen said.

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While some of the beliefs are subjective, others are not, he said, like being on time.

About 20% of respondents said Gen Zers are often late to work, and 15% said they frequently hand assignments in late.

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