5 ways Gen Alpha will differ from Gen Z in the workplace

I continue to be amazed at the number of HR leaders — usually in their late 50s, 60s, or even 70s — who believe that Millennials are still the youngest cohort in the workforce. They’re not and haven’t been for years.

Definitions vary, but members of Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2009, making the oldest 26 and youngest 14 years of age. That makes the most senior members of the next cohort, Gen Alpha, 13 years of age and, therefore, just starting to break into the workplace, albeit with jobs like babysitting and lawn mowing a lot more common than any work in an office, warehouse, or manufacturing facility.

Although the oldest members of Gen Alpha are still in middle school and almost but not quite ready to be hired by entities like fast food restaurants and retailers, it may be helpful to employers to think a little ahead to whether their current workplace policies will need to be adapted as more and more members of Gen Alpha enter the workforce. Gen Alpha is too young to have developed workplace attitudes, but we can make some educated guesses:

1. Technological adeptness: Generation Alpha is the first generation to be born entirely within the 21st century and they’re growing up in a world immersed in technology. It’s likely that they’ll be even more comfortable with and reliant on technology than even Generation Z, who are considered digital natives. In the workplace, this could result in a preference for digital communication, remote work capabilities, and the use of advanced technology in daily operations.

2. Sustainability and social issues: Both Gen Z and Gen Alpha show a strong interest in social, political, and environmental issues. But for Gen Alpha, the awareness of these issues has been part of their consciousness from a very young age. This could translate into strong demands for corporate social responsibility, ethical business practices, and sustainability in their future workplaces.

3. Diversity and Inclusion: Generation Alpha is projected to be the most ethnically diverse and inclusive generation yet, as they are being raised in a time when conversations about race, gender identity, and equal rights are more mainstream than ever. This may mean that they will prioritize workplaces that are diverse and inclusive.

4. Work-Life Integration: As they watch their Millennial parents juggle work and home life, often in flexible or remote arrangements, they may come to value a strong integration of work and personal life. The line between work and personal life might continue to blur for this generation.

5. Mental Health Importance: Growing up in a time when there is an increased focus on mental health and well-being, Generation Alpha might place higher importance on these factors in their work environment compared to previous generations.