As more members of Generation Z enter the workforce, Sioux County employers may notice shifts in communication styles, workplace expectations, and job loyalty.
That’s according to Dordt University business professor Tim Klein, who recently discussed how Gen Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — is reshaping today’s work environment.
Klein said during a recent episode of The Daily Grind that generational tension in the workplace is nothing new. Each generation, he explained, enters with habits shaped by its upbringing and the technology of the time.
He noted that Generation X was known for independence and Millennials for creativity and entrepreneurship. Now, Gen Z is introducing its own shifts — especially around communication and efficiency.
Klein says both employers and younger workers will need to adjust as this generation enters the workplace. Older managers may need to rethink long meetings and traditional communication methods, while Gen Z employees will need to continue strengthening face-to-face and professional communication skills.
One of the defining traits of Gen Z, Klein said, is its expectation for speed and streamlined systems.
Having grown up with smartphones, instant messaging, and rapid online services, Gen Z workers are accustomed to quick responses and efficient processes. That expectation can create tension, but it may also push workplaces to improve outdated systems.
Klein also said Gen Z is strongly motivated by purpose.
He added that when younger employees feel connected to a company’s mission, they are often willing to invest significant effort — even if they are less likely than previous generations to stay at one employer for decades.
As Sioux County businesses continue hiring the next generation, Klein believes understanding and flexibility on both sides will be essential — just as they have been with every previous generational shift.
