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UKG Australia: Gen Z in the Workplace Report

How do you attract and retain the newest generation into your workforce? A newly released report by UKG finds that Generation Z in Australia have a strong preference for face-to-face communication which needs to be balanced in our hybrid, digital first culture.

This report from the UKG Workforce Institute breaks down the key findings on how to communicate effectively with the next generation of employees and obtain tools that can support creating great employee experiences.

Gen Z in the Workplace Report

Despite the stereotype of Gen Z as a digital-first generation, new research commissioned by UKG and conducted by YouGov finds that these young entrants into the Australian workforce have a strong preference for face-to-face communication in the workplace.

In today’s digital age, the survey of 1,021 Australian workers found that 42 per cent of Gen Z workers prefer face-to-face communication over any other digital method, including email (18%), instant messaging (15%), text (12%), telephone (9%) and video conferencing (4%).

The research also showed that the preference for face-to-face communications isn't merely about convenience but because this younger generation places significant value on genuine and meaningful human connection, as nearly half (48%) stated they have much stronger relationships with colleagues they see in person.

Our research has found that despite virtual meetings and instant messaging allowing us the convenience of working from the comfort of our own homes, there are some drawbacks to digital-first communication, particularly when it comes to solving conflicts at work and speaking up in meetings and needs to be balanced in our hybrid, digital first culture. However, Gen Z is not succumbing to these challenges; instead, they are showcasing their resilience and determination by actively seeking opportunities to sharpen their communication skills and get ahead. 

This report from the UKG Workforce Institute breaks down the key findings on how to communicate effectively with the next generation of employees and obtain tools that can support creating great employee experiences.