- Sep 3
- 5 min read

Debunking Gen Z Myths: An Introduction

Welcome to The Gen Z Guide for Employers! In this series, We will challenge some of the prevailing Gen Z workforce myths. Our ultimate goal is to debunk these myths and create a level of understanding between Gen Z and the generations that came before us to make workplaces:

More efficient
More inclusive
Better places to work

Each newsletter will be written from the perspective of an employer or a member of the Gen Z workforce. This edition is written by our very own Tameika Moore, who leads our Employability & Partnerships work. Below, Tameika unpicks the common myth of low attention spans, and explores how Gen Z can contribute to an efficient and inclusive workspace.

If I hear that Gen Z are lazy, have low attention spans, or are undisciplined again, I am going to scream.

As an older Gen Z, born in 2000 (yes, those born in 2000 are now fully grown, functioning members of society), I have been privy to many disapproving comments. Some come from those a mere 5 years older than me! However, among my peers, when it comes to the workplace, the consensus is that:

We aim to work smarter, not harder
We want to make the workplace better for everyone
We have a knack for efficiency and an aptitude for learning

A few weeks ago, the Pollen team and I attended an event (shoutout to Zally!) that inspected the current attitudes toward Gen Z in the workplace. At the event, we explored the prospect of Gen Z having a low attention span. I realised that this idea was something I had often heard, both on social media and in real life.

Furthermore, when the discussion around Gen Z and their low attention spans arose, it was usually framed negatively. In today’s post, I want to explore this Gen Z myth, specifically about our social media usage and how this can be leveraged in the workplace.

Is it just Gen Z?

Firstly, let me stress that we are not a monolith. With Generation Z being made up of those born between 1997-2012, there are roughly 12.7 million people who fall into this bracket in the UK alone (Clark, 2023). Generalising millions of people is not helpful and often does more harm than good.

The Effects of COVID on Our Consumption of Media

We all watched as the pandemic ravaged our world and dismantled society as we knew it. During this unprecedented time, teenagers and young adults worldwide found solace in an up-and-coming app called TikTok. The short video format of TikTok could convert even the most anti-social media person into a fanatic. With little else to do during quarantine, it was no wonder that Gen Z became hooked on this app. It provided a great coping mechanism for the ever-changing world and a way to connect with others globally adapting to our new circumstances. The pandemic forced everyone, regardless of generation, to rely on technology for education, entertainment, and news updates. Consequently, technology and media became crutches for us more than ever before.

Gen Z is undoubtedly the first generation where all members can be described as digital natives (which means we were raised in the information age). We have been inundated with media and an ever-changing technology landscape our entire lives. However, the effects of this are not limited to Gen Z alone. Most people would agree that we are swamped with a barrage of news daily, whether through traditional or social media. Prof. Barbara Demeneix, a leading French scientist specialising in attention spans, expressed that “There is no way we can have a normal brain today.” (Hari, 2022). Therefore, it’s reasonable to say that lower attention spans are not just a Gen Z ailment but something that afflicts us all. Understanding that this issue affects everyone, not just Gen Z, is key to collaborating with us in an empathetic and patient manner.

Lower Attention Span Does Not Equal Lower Value

If Gen Z has any superpower, our knack for efficiency would be at the top of the list.

Our admittedly low attention spans make it difficult to focus on videos longer than 5 minutes. Yes, some of us may opt to turn the speed up to 1.5x. Yes, we may sigh in frustration if someone takes ages to get to the point in an informational video. No, we will not read the terms and conditions before agreeing to download an app (who does?!). But why is this necessarily a bad thing? If we translate this to the workplace, surely our annoyance with unnecessarily convoluted processes shouldn’t be seen as a negative but as a positive. If Gen Z has any superpower, our knack for efficiency would be at the top of the list. We don't have time to waste! In many industries such as marketing, advertising, or even tech, our ability to ‘cut out the fat’ of elaborate processes is something to be celebrated. Our dependence on social media and technology in general means that we appreciate efficiency and processes that allow this.

Leveraging Tech

89% of Gen Z respondents feel confident in using technology and are ready to operate in an environment that demands interaction with and dependence upon technology and automation. What is even more exciting is that a lot of us are really into using tech to make work easier and more efficient (Faber, n.d.). As an employer of Gen Z workers, you can capitalise on this desire by fostering collaboration with your younger employees. Why not, for example, ask your employees (Gen Z or otherwise) about tasks they often find mundane and explore how these can be automated or adapted to create more efficient processes? This approach enhances efficiency for Gen Z employees and benefits the entire workforce, facilitating a more proactive and organised work environment.

Feeling Valued

For Gen Z workers, feeling valued is of great importance and is a contributing factor to overall happiness at work.

Oh, and an added benefit: pretty much every Gen Zer (96% to be exact) (Workplace from Meta, n.d.) wants to feel like they matter at work. They want to feel valued and as if they're making a difference. Engaging in these sorts of conversations with them not only opens up communication but can directly link to our engagement and productivity. For Gen Z workers, feeling valued is of great importance and is a contributing factor to overall happiness at work. Happy employees mean a happier, more productive workplace. What’s not to love?

To summarise, yes, we have low attention spans due to being digital natives, but this can also be positively wielded in the workplace due to Gen Z’s technological strengths. By embracing these strengths, I strongly believe that you can:

Identify outdated processes and increase efficiency
Encourage more collaboration and communication in teams
Stay ahead of the curve with emerging tech and how it can improve your business

In the next issue, I aim to discuss how our ‘low attention spans’ can give way to more skill-diverse employees!

Thank you for reading and please let me know your thoughts on this topic!

If you enjoyed this article, please share with your networks.

Tameika

If you are interested in employing amazing Gen Z talent, you can book a call with us here.

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If you would like to get involved in any of our community initiatives (e.g. mentor directory, podcast, masterclasses etc.), just drop Sophie an email on sophie@pollencareers.co.uk.