The Workplace & Job Hunting

Laurence

Laurence

We spoke about it today. She just had lunch with all of us, and told me she thought it was "socially awkward to compensate with the rest in the canteen". Then I asked how she would do 8 hours of work and take an hour break (that's fine tho!) today if we close at 18h? It's just 8 hours a week of working for us, and the rest is her thesis assignment. But it felt like already testing the boundaries and of course when I raised it suddenly became 'she did not feel well this morning' and other excuses came (the bus was late which impacted her travel - grow up!). Everything in order to not own up to it. I asked her how she did that with her previous or student jobs but still unknown what the answer is.

Anyways, we agreed to a stand-up each morning now and she'll make that. I did ask her what she thinks of our expectations of her working 8 hours, while she gets a heft internship compensation for one day of work each week, guidance and support on her thesis and more. That opened her eyes a bit.

Previous intern was 26 so it's hard to compare, but we'll see how this turns out.
 
Lander

Lander

I can’t say I really agree with the above few posts. Whilst there is a balance, I think that newer generations having much clearer boundaries and prioritisation of working to live and not the other way round should hopefully over time create a positive shift away from expectations of working way beyond our hours, when ill, being contacted when on leave if something urgent comes up etc.

Looking at COVID and how a lot of us were expected to quickly adapt to working from home, then suddenly restrictions lifted and now they’re struggling to get people back into shitty offices because people are reluctant to give up the work life balance. No, I don’t want another generation perpetuating the same mistakes I have made (and still do!).
 
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Monado

Monado

Lander said:
I can’t say I really agree with the above few posts. Whilst there is a balance, I think that newer generations having much clearer boundaries and prioritisation of working to live and not the other way round should hopefully over time create a positive shift away from expectations of working way beyond our hours, when ill, being contacted when on leave if something urgent comes up etc.

Looking at COVID and how a lot of us were expected to quickly adapt to working from home, then suddenly restrictions lifted and now they’re struggling to get people back into shitty offices because people are reluctant to give up the work life balance. No, I don’t want another generation perpetuating the same mistakes I have made (and still do!).
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Agreed. I lead a group of five Gen-Z people and they're hardworking, competent, high performers recognized throughout the company. Never had a single issue with them. I have to beg them to take time off!
 
Lander

Lander

Monado said:
Agreed. I lead a group of five Gen-Z people and they're hardworking, competent, high performers recognized throughout the company. Never had a single issue with them. I have to beg them to take time off!
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Both of my direct reports are fairly clear on their work time and personal. I have a great working relationship with both of them and I would never hold it against them that they set better boundaries than I do!
 
magictreehouse

magictreehouse

Krissykins said:
I have 15 direct reports to me currently, (all at least degree level medically qualified) and you would not believe some of the behaviours/tactics I’ve had to deal with over the last 3 years.

None of them are Gen Z.

People are wild.
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15?! God, I've only got two and even though they're great that's enough for me.

It's interesting reading about people's experiences with Gen Z. We take in quite a lot of young people and I've always found them to be great and I enjoy working with them. Maybe it's a civil service thing. They do make me feel ancient though!
 
Hudvar

Hudvar

WowWowWowWow said:
Would gratefully take on board any advice/lessons learned: I’ve worked at the same place for over 15 years (with promotions along the way), straight out of grad school, and I see the writing on the wall for me (thanks to federal funding cuts, etc). How do you effectively “spin” having only one professional experience? I’m not sure things like loyalty and longevity count for much anymore (if it ever did at all). Thank you!
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Bit late, but use the fact you've been there so long to demonstrate your commitment and focus. I was at an old job 12 years and the next job I went for, which I had almost fuck all experience in, was sold on that because they kept getting people who didn't stick around.
 
blaze_dave

blaze_dave

Our place has graduate schemes, so we end up meeting or working with each other at some point.

I have had no issues, all are generally nice, chatty and willing to work!

It gets a bit ropey when I mention quotes, phrases or pop culture references that they have no idea about and makes me feel really old.
 
burzacott

burzacott

blaze_dave said:
It gets a bit ropey when I mention quotes, phrases or pop culture references that they have no idea about and makes me feel really old.
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I've been there. Two of my twenty-something work colleagues don't know who Jason Donovan is which I find so bizarre. We also had to explain who Victor Medrew is to another one.
 
blaze_dave

blaze_dave

burzacott said:
I've been there. Two of my twenty-something work colleagues don't know who Jason Donovan is which I find so bizarre. We also had to explain who Victor Medrew is to another one.
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It just makes you really feel old, having to explain but passing on wisdom is always good!
 
burzacott

burzacott

Honestly, I enjoy those slight cultural differences between ages and generations. A lot of my work colleagues are older than me too so in certain conversations I get to feel like the young one!
 
SunshineConcubine

SunshineConcubine

I think these generational things can be overstated a bit. A lot of it probably just comes down to being in that stage of your life where you don't really know the rules and expectations of the workplace, and maybe still live with mum and dad or are at uni so don't really need the job. My approach to work definitely changed when the student loan dried up and I had rent and bills to pay.
 
Catalyst1

Catalyst1

He/Him
Was out for lunch with a couple of interns a few years ago and the card machine was down so the restaurant were using those carbon paper cha-ching things.

Nothing more depressing that explaining laughably primitive technology from your own days.
 
Catalyst1

Catalyst1

He/Him
Krissykins said:
I have 15 direct reports to me currently, (all at least degree level medically qualified) and you would not believe some of the behaviours/tactics I’ve had to deal with over the last 3 years.

None of them are Gen Z.

People are wild.
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The dreaded span of control. That's back in fashion with all the FAANG companies trying to get rid of middle managers.
 
Hudvar

Hudvar

Catalyst1 said:
Was out for lunch with a couple of interns a few years ago and the card machine was down so the restaurant were using those carbon paper cha-ching things.

Nothing more depressing that explaining laughably primitive technology from your own days.
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I used to love using those in my Saturday job at the Co-op when someone wanted to pay by cheque.
 
Catalyst1

Catalyst1

He/Him
Hudvar said:
I used to love using those in my Saturday job at the Co-op when someone wanted to pay by cheque.
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Yep, check/cheque guarantee cards came into that same discussion with the interns.

Was like my grandfather trying to explain pre-decimalization currency to me.
 
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