Gen Zers often feel unsafe because of unrealistic expectations at work.

They can mistake "safety" to mean they won't have to endure a negative emotion.

Growth requires a transparent space for all parties to give and receive input.

When Ethan showed up late to work one day, his supervisor, Stan, asked to meet with him. In their conversation, Stan asked Ethan if everything was OK at home. Ethan replied that things were fine at home. Stan then inquired if there was anything going on in Ethan’s personal life that would prevent him from being on time for his job. Ethan grew nervous as he confirmed that nothing in his personal life was a problem.

That’s when the conversation became enlightening.

When Stan calmly asked Ethan if he could be more punctual, Ethan balked. His hands grew clammy, and he began to search for words. After a moment or two, Ethan explained that he didn’t feel “safe” at work. Stan was caught off guard and began to probe what Ethan needed to make him feel safe, so he could focus on getting his job done. What they both learned carries a lesson for us all.

A Growing Number of Generation Z Workers Feels Unsafe

According to a Verkada Study of 1,000 professionals across major industries in 2023, there is a significant divide between employers’ perception of job safety and the experiences and concerns of their team members. I've written about how some Gen Zers are........

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