As the world emerged from a global lockdown, a new generation of professionals entered the workforce, having experienced at least a semester of online college education.

The shift away from hands-on learning has raised concerns that some Gen Z individuals might exhibit a lack of motivation or competence when it comes to carrying out fundamental tasks at work, according to several managers cited in a recent report by The Wall Street Journal.

"They aren't actively seeking productivity," Laura Davis, a director at the John Ball Zoo, shared with the Journal. "Without explicit guidance and constant oversight, they tend not to proactively identify what they can contribute. Instead, they tend to gravitate toward inactivity."

In response, certain colleges and companies have introduced training programs tailored to recent graduates who wish to familiarize themselves with office environments. Experts have highlighted the perceived deficit in soft skills, prompting instruction on email etiquette, fostering office conversations, and even understanding appropriate workplace attire.

A study spanning the US, UK, Germany, France, Poland, and Japan revealed that compared to their Gen X and baby boomer colleagues, Gen Zers and millennials were notably more likely to feel excluded from virtual company meetings.

Amid the aftermath of the pandemic, Ivan Schury, a 17-year-old supervisor at the John Ball Zoo, conveyed to the Journal that he and his peers found themselves grappling with distractions. This experience led Schury to frequently monitor his fellow young coworkers in the zoo's kitchen, where he observed one colleague who consistently left his station at the fry station unattended.

"He would frequently leave his station to chat with his friends at the counter," Schury recounted to the Journal. "I invest a significant amount of time ensuring that everyone remains focused on their tasks."

Contrary to the perceptions of their managers, nearly half of the Gen Z workforce contends that their challenges in initiating tasks stem not from laziness but from stress and anxiety. Deloitte's 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey highlighted that a substantial portion of young professionals reported feelings of exhaustion and disengagement in the workplace.