While organisations must adapt, Gen Z also carries equal responsibility for creating successful workplaces and ensuring organisational health, argues the writer.
By Lungi Sangqu
A growing workplace divide
As South Africa observes Workers Month and gears towards Youth Month, the looming question remains around the growing divide between Gen Z employees and established leadership that has become increasingly evident. Younger workers are often labelled entitled or disloyal, while many Gen Z professionals describe workplaces as rigid, outdated, and hostile.
This tension is not merely a workplace issue, it is an economic risk. With youth unemployment in South Africa exceeding 60% among those aged 15–24, the country cannot afford workplace cultures that fail to integrate younger talent. Equally, organisations cannot afford to lose the institutional wisdom and leadership experience of older generations.
