Attracting and Retaining Generation Z Employees: Insights from Expert Bianca Wirtz

Generation Z, i.e. those aged 13 to 28, are seen as lazy and unachievable. It’s not, says the expert. You just have to treat them right.

2 Min reading time

2023-08-09 18:52:00

Generation Z is a buzzword for those born in Germany between 1995 and 2010. It’s almost a swear word. “They are mostly considered lazy and unwilling to perform,” says expert Bianca Wirtz at the economic talks of the IHK in Werne. But that’s not true. You just have to know how to take this generation correctly. And that is exactly what companies should do. There would be a shortage of even more skilled workers in the future.

“How do I attract skilled workers for my company and how do I bind them to the company?” – This was the question at the annual business talks of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Wednesday evening, August 9th, in Werne. Around 70 representatives from business, politics and administration met on the premises of the young IT company PB-Consult in Werne-Stockum.

Interesting presentation and discussion

The focus of the evening was an entertaining, exciting lecture by the expert Bianca Wirtz followed by a panel discussion. In his words of welcome, Werner entrepreneur Jan Höttcke already said: “Nowadays, good pay and a secure job are no longer enough to attract good employees.”

Mayor Lothar Christ took the same line in his short welcome speech. Important are “a good working atmosphere and benefits for the employees”. Among other things, he spoke of flexible working time models and leadership qualities.

“Good leadership” is very important

Bianca Wirtz then saw the topic of “good leadership” in her presentation as a “decisive point” for employee loyalty. All welcome culture, all additional benefits are for nothing, “if the managers do not respond to the employees”.

Wirtz made it clear how important it is to woo GenZ: “By 2035, there will be a shortage of 8 million junior staff in Germany. Attracting and retaining talented young people from Generation Z is crucial for the future success of the company.” Below she gave concrete tips on how to do this.

Appreciative farewell

To start with the tips at the very end: “Outboarding is completely underestimated,” says Wirtz, i.e. letting employees go who want to change. Often you would just let them go with gnashing of teeth. Without, for example, querying their knowledge or transferring it to others. Another point is important for employees who have resigned.

“There are enough examples of employees coming back to another company after a certain period of time. But that only works if you as a company have said goodbye with respect,” says Wirtz. In these cases, as in general, the following applies when dealing with employees: listen, take with you, ask, let them participate. And not just for GenZlers, but, according to Wirtz: “for all employees.”