Gen Z Is Getting Fired Left and Right

But Haven’t We Been Here Before?

I’ve been watching the discourse about Gen Z getting fired at record rates, and honestly? It’s giving déjà vu.

Apparently, managers are struggling with Gen Z employees, with 30% of them getting fired within the first 30 days. Hiring managers on LinkedIn are swearing they “won’t be hiring recent grads again.” And over on Twitter, you’ve got CEOs venting about how Gen Z won’t even turn their cameras on in Zoom meetings.

But here’s the thing.

As a Millennial, I distinctly remember when they said all this about us.

• “Millennials are lazy.”

• “Millennials are entitled.”

• “Millennials need to toughen up.”

Now, suddenly, we’re the seasoned professionals, watching a younger generation get ripped apart for being too soft, too entitled, too unwilling to conform to workplace norms. And I have to ask—haven’t we seen this movie before?

The Corporate Cycle of Complaints

The Corporate Cycle of Complaints

Every generation enters the workforce with a different mindset, shaped by the world they grew up in. Millennials came in post-2008, with record student debt and a broken job market. Gen Z? They’re stepping into mass layoffs, AI disruptions, and a workforce that barely recovered from the pandemic.

So, when they prioritize mental health, push back on grind culture, or say “I quit” to a job that doesn’t align with their values—why are we shocked?

Yes, some of them might struggle with professional communication. Yes, some might expect too much too soon. But can you blame them for refusing to play a game that’s already stacked against them?

I Used to Be That Employee

I won’t lie. I see myself in some of their “mistakes.” I remember:

• Being unsure how to “act corporate.”

• Wondering why I needed to CC ten people on an email.

• Hating the idea of “face time” in an office when the work was already done.

But I learned. We all did. It wasn’t because we were inherently flawed—it’s because adapting to work takes time.

What I’d Tell Gen Z (If They’d Listen)

If I could give Gen Z advice—not in a condescending “back in my day” way, but in a real, honest way—I’d say:

1. Master the basics. Work ethic, communication, and professionalism still matter. It’s not about selling out; it’s about knowing how to move through the system until you can change it.

2. Not every job will fulfill you. Some jobs are just jobs. You don’t have to love them. You just have to use them as stepping stones.

3. Relationships > Résumés. Who you know will always open more doors than what’s on your CV. Networking isn’t corny—it’s how the world works.

4. Patience. Growth takes time. Promotions take time. Overnight success isn’t real.

   

   What I’d Tell Gen Z (If They’d Listen)

But Also, Corporate America… Y’all Need to Chill

Before companies keep firing Gen Z en masse, maybe ask:

• Are we setting clear expectations?

• Are we mentoring instead of just criticizing?

• Are we adjusting to a changing workforce, or just complaining about it?

Because if we, as Millennials, survived being the “lazy generation” once upon a time, Gen Z will figure it out too. The real question is: How will the workplace evolve with them?

What do you think? Are Gen Z employees getting a fair shot, or are they setting themselves up for failure? Let’s talk.

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P.S. Did you know you can gift a Substack post to a friend who needs to hear this? Share the wisdom. Or, you know, just send it to that one coworker who really needs the wake-up call. 😏

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