Skip navigation

Adapting to Gen Z in the remote workplace

Learn actionable strategies to attract, retain and engage Gen Z employees.

A Gen Z man smiles at the camera while opening his notebook in an office setting.A Gen Z man smiles at the camera while opening his notebook in an office setting.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

A recent report by Johns Hopkins University delves into how Gen Z is shaping the future of work. This blog post summarizes vital insights and offers actionable steps for people leaders in remote or hybrid companies.

Embrace diversity, equity + inclusion to engage Gen Z employees

Gen Z places high importance on diversity and inclusion. They expect workplaces to go beyond mere compliance and actively foster an inclusive environment.

Gen Z employees expect:

  • Their employers to value diversity.
  • An inclusive work culture.
  • Consideration for gender identity and expression.

Actions people leaders can take to support Gen Z employees:

  • Offer diversity training programs.
  • Create resource groups for minority employees.
  • Implement a preferred pronoun policy.

Offer flexibility in work arrangements to support Gen Z expectations

Gen Z values work/life balance and seeks flexible work arrangements. They are open to working outside standard hours if it allows them more freedom.

Gen Z employees expect:

  • Their employers to value work/life balance.
  • Flexibility that allows for working during non-traditional work hours.
  • Remote or hybrid models that support employee choice.

Actions people leaders can take to support Gen Z employees:

  • Introduce flexible work policies.
  • Provide training on time management.
  • Use tools to track remote work productivity.

Focus on company ethics + social responsibility to attract and retain Gen Z

Gen Z wants to work for companies that align with their personal values, especially concerning ethics and social issues.

Gen Z employees expect:

  • Alignment between their values and their employers’ values.
  • Ethical practices.
  • Concern for social impact.

Actions people leaders can take to support Gen Z employees:

  • Develop ethics training modules.
  • Share the company’s social impact initiatives.
  • Encourage volunteer programs among employees.

Adapting to the needs + expectations of Gen Z is a long-term investment in the future of work

The key to a successful future is understanding and adapting to the needs of Gen Z. From fostering diversity to offering flexible work arrangements and aligning with ethical values, these steps will attract and retain this new generation of workers.

Actions people leaders can take to support Gen Z employees:

Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

Coaching in the wild: Help managers coach when no one’s watching
Electives team
 
Aug 28, 2025

Coaching in the wild: Help managers coach when no one’s watching

Coaching moments happen in Slack, 1:1s and team check-ins. Here’s how to help managers lead better day-to-day.
Leadership + management
Teach your team how to decide: A skill-building approach to better judgment
Electives team
 
Aug 27, 2025

Teach your team how to decide: A skill-building approach to better judgment

Good decisions aren’t a personality trait—they’re a skill. Here’s how to build decision-making capacity across levels, without the bottlenecks.
Innovation + productivity
Psychological safety is your first line of risk defense
Electives team
 
Aug 26, 2025

Psychological safety is your first line of risk defense

Teams that speak up early prevent problems later. Here's how psychological safety helps HR teams surface risks before they become issues.
Culture + collaboration
Make change easier to lead: How to build adaptability into your team’s muscle memory
Electives team
 
Aug 21, 2025

Make change easier to lead: How to build adaptability into your team’s muscle memory

Adaptability is more than a mindset—it’s a measurable skill. Here’s how HR teams can build it into everyday performance without overwhelming their people.
Culture + collaboration
The mid-level squeeze: Why your senior ICs are stuck—and how to get them moving again
Electives team
 
Aug 20, 2025

The mid-level squeeze: Why your senior ICs are stuck—and how to get them moving again

Senior individual contributors carry the business, but often hit a ceiling. Here’s how HR can re-engage them and reignite their growth.
Individual contributors
Stop the bloat: How to simplify your HR tech stack without losing value
Electives team
 
Aug 19, 2025

Stop the bloat: How to simplify your HR tech stack without losing value

If your HR tech stack feels bloated, you’re not alone. Here’s how to simplify without sacrificing what matters most: learning, performance and engagement.
Learning best practices

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more