A new survey from ResumeTemplates.com reveals growing frustration among U.S. managers supervising Generation Z employees, with many saying the role feels more like parenting than traditional leadership. The report, based on responses from 1,000 U.S. managers, highlights significant challenges when it comes to managing the youngest generation in the workforce.
According to the findings, 68% of managers say supervising Gen Z employees feels like parenting, while 54% describe it as similar to babysitting. Nearly two-thirds (61%) report that Gen Z workers require frequent hand-holding, and 52% believe they struggle to follow basic instructions.
The survey also found that one in three managers check in with their Gen Z employees four or more times per day, reflecting how much additional guidance this generation requires.
One of the most striking findings is that nine in ten managers say they’ve had to teach Gen Z employees foundational workplace skills — a task not commonly expected of supervisors in previous generations. Among the most frequently taught lessons are:
- Accepting feedback without taking it personally (59%)
- Interacting appropriately with clients and coworkers (46%)
- Multitasking effectively (45%)
- Admitting mistakes professionally (42%)
- Dressing appropriately for work (36%)
Additionally, managers report regularly reminding Gen Z employees to arrive on time (48%), respond to messages (47%), put away their phones (41%), and clean up after themselves (35%).
The challenges, according to experts, stem from the fact that many Gen Z workers entered the workforce during the pandemic. “Gen Z’s entry into the workforce looked really different from previous generations because of the pandemic,” says Julia Toothacre, Chief Career Strategist at ResumeTemplates.com. “Many missed out on in-person training and onboarding.”
Managers surveyed described their Gen Z reports as immature, distracted, and overly dependent. Some even likened their roles to daycare supervisors. “Sometimes I feel like we are at daycare to be honest,” one respondent shared.
The study suggests that better preparation and structured workplace training could help bridge the gap. Toothacre recommends expanding internships and group training programs to ease the strain on managers.
The full report is available at ResumeTemplates.com