Gen Zers are ‘ghosting’ employers — they’re not even showing up on the first day
They’re not Excelling at work.
A recent survey from the employment website Indeed found that 75% of the 1,500 UK workers polled have ignored a prospective employer in the past 12 months, Fortune reports.
Gen Zers reported the worst behavior — once they’ve applied, an astonishing 93% of Gen Zers confessed to not showing up for an interview. And 87% said they didn’t even bother coming in on their first day of work.
Gen Z’s audacity to “ghost” potential employers comes as many employees admit to being too scared to take lunch or vacation days for fear of being fired or laid off.
As such, older generations acknowledge “ghosting” in the workplace, just less often and with regrets.
Millennials are most likely to feel anxious after ghosting and worry that it will negatively affect future job opportunities, but Gen Zers who “ghosted” their potential employers — especially on the first day — confessed they did so to “feel in charge of their career.”
Perhaps it’s part of the #ActYourWage movement — the fight across generations for better pay and hours.
“It’s clear that the financial offer is the biggest carrot for employers trying to attract talent, with pay, benefits and other factors that support the rise in cost-of-living likely to prevent a job seeker from ghosting,” Danny Stacy, Indeed UK’s head of talent intelligence, said to Fortune.
“Of course, not all businesses will be in the position to increase their offer, but being transparent about the financial package from the outset is likely to prevent job seekers from ghosting further along the hiring process,” Stacy added.
Young adults on the job hunt say they are being forced to reject roles because they can’t afford the expenses associated with starting the job — like wardrobe upgrades or transportation.
One in 10 unemployed Gen Zers in the UK has turned down a job because of such costs, according to the Prince’s Trust annual NatWest Youth Index 2024.
Gen Z workplace deal breakers have included: “A high ratio of white cis men,” “set days” required in the office and didn’t get their “own office.”