Understanding Solutions - A New Focus

The working environment has undergone dramatic changes, rendering traditional methods insufficient. New frameworks are essential to address these shifts and place people at the centre of a positive working culture.

The Need for Change

• Pressure and Stress: More than 1 in 3 working Gen Zers struggle with pressure and stress at work. Additionally, 91% of Gen Zers experience at least one symptom of stress, indicating a dire need for better support from their employers. Without this support, they become a flight risk, with burnout and lack of work-life balance being primary reasons for quitting, following unsatisfactory salaries.
• Mental Health and Training: In the USA, 82% of Gen Z employees value mental health days, and half seek mental health training. Furthermore, 77% want to work for companies that prioritise diversity, equality, and inclusion. A significant 76% believe a great workplace is characterised by caring, friendly, and socially conscious people.
• Leadership and Workplace Dynamics: Empathy and honesty are the top traits Gen Z values in leaders. In-person socialisation with colleagues is important to 7 in 10 Gen Zers. However, 31% of young professionals find coping with workplace pressure and stress challenging, and over a quarter may quit their jobs within the next 12 months.
• Education and Preparedness: Surprisingly, 1 in 4 Gen Zers with post-graduate education feel unprepared for the workplace, reflecting the growing emphasis on soft skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership.
• Remote Work Challenges: For many who started their careers during the pandemic in March 2020, remote work is all they know. This has led to 73% of Gen Z feeling lonely at least sometimes, with 44% stating that remote work can make them feel disconnected.

Responding to the Next Generation

Given these insights, businesses must ask themselves whether they are providing the necessary support frameworks for younger generations to thrive in their careers. The data clearly highlights a demand for in-person socialisation and robust support systems. Young professionals are seeking employers whose values align with their own, underscoring the importance of creating a supportive culture.

Understanding Solutions?is a new initiative at EP, focusing on people and culture within the hospitality industry. The aim is to bring innovative ideas from various expert disciplines to address the complexities of workplace culture and human resources. How can we maximise the potential of our human assets? How can we view the people aspect from a fresh perspective? Do we need to develop new frameworks that nurture the soft skills of the next generation?

At the heart of Understanding Solutions is the sharing of knowledge and insights across all sectors, emphasising the non-technical aspects of business. What psychological and emotional advice can we offer to assist others? What can we learn from one another to improve our support frameworks for the next generation?

We will be organising events to facilitate the sharing of insights across the industry as part of Understanding Solutions. Additionally, we will collaborate with industry leaders like Gamechangers and eHotelier to offer courses and support frameworks designed to meet the specific needs of the next generation, to further their development. If you would like to find out more about Understanding Solutions, please email [email protected].

“The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.” -Sybil F. Stershic.