Undisciplined? Entitled? Lazy? Gen Z faces familiar flood of workplace criticism

"Gen Z is undisciplined, apparently; entitled, some critics claim; and purportedly hates work. One viral column in the Wall Street Journal went so far as to suggest this entire generation was potentially unemployable. As younger employees establishing themselves at work continue to face relentless criticism from the higher rungs of corporate America, those old enough to remember the arrival of the last generation could be forgiven for experiencing a sense of deja vu."

"Everyone used to hate millennials, and now it's gen Z. We tend to compare [the younger generation] to our current selves, which is a mistake because most people are more narcissistic and self-centered at age 20 than they are at age 40. That's part of development and maturity. While this is a recurring cycle, in which each new generation faces scrutiny as they enter the workforce,"

"I think that narrative is a bullshit, Jahnavi Shah, 25, said of the harshest accusations hurled at gen Z. The generations before us, they were just all about work and then life would take a back seat. We are a really smart generation that hustles, but we also don't want to burn out, and want to be paid adequately for the value that we bring in."

Gen Z encounters widespread criticism likening them to prior generations' perceived flaws, such as entitlement and aversion to work. Comparisons often mirror earlier critiques of millennials, reflecting a recurring pattern of generational judgment. Psychological perspectives note that younger adults are naturally more self-focused at age 20 than at older ages, a factor in perceived behavioral differences. Many young workers express distrust of institutions they view as having failed them. Younger employees emphasize avoiding burnout, seeking adequate compensation for their contributions, and balancing ambition with personal well-being while still pursuing career opportunities.

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