Home topics news Source: Israel Andrare on Unsplash News News How employers can help Gen Z conquer workplace anxiety Yajush Gupta April 9, 2024 Leading Gen Z expert and social researcher, Claire Madden , is calling for employers to better understand and support the Gen Z workforce in building their offline professional personas. As more and more Australian workers are being encouraged to return to the office, Claire says that Gen Z is at risk of increased anxiety because they’re not as confident as older generations when it comes to interpersonal skills and face-to-face interactions. “Following The Great Resignation, it seems like we may now have The Great IRL Hesitation: people feeling awkward in office interactions, presenting, asking for help, and even just picking up the phone for a call can fill many Gen-Z and Millennial employees with dread and create a feeling of apprehension,” explains Claire. A 2023 US study revealed that 90% of Gen Z employees experience social discomfort or anxiety at work, with ‘being called on in meetings’ and ‘giving presentations’ in their top five reasons as to why they feel anxious. Claire’s top tips for Managers of the Gen Z workforce are: Facilitate a supportive relational environment in your workplace culture. Teaming up colleagues to work together on a project will help Gen Z build offline relationships and feel like they can be their true authentic selves at work. Give Gen Z achievable opportunities to grow their confidence in face-to-face communication – including training and development,