As of 2025, the growing number of companies is firing Gen Z employees at a higher rate than previous generations. This phenomenon has sparked a worldwide debate among critics, with some arguing that organisations are not accommodating enough, while others claim that Gen Z’s behaviour is incompatible.
More than 60% of Gen Z employees are being terminated or let go within the first year of their employment. This issue is often exaggerated on social media, but it stems from some core reasons that contribute to these systemic issues. In this blog, we will discuss in depth the major reasons why companies are quickly firing Gen Z employees.
REASONS WHY MANY GEN Z ARE GETTING FIRED FROM THEIR JOBS
Here are some of the important reasons why there is a huge drift between the two generations that has led to such a drastic number of layoffs in the Gen Z era.
Mismatch Between Expectations And Reality
Gen Z, commonly identified as those born between 1997 and 2012, join the workforce with a set of expectations that differ from those of prior generations. The emergence of the digital business, teleworking, and the freelance economy has affected many members of this cohort. Consequently, they tend to demand flexibility, inclusion, and a sense of purpose within the work environment.
But the corporate environment stays in its forms, which continue to promote order, control, and performance. According to numerous enterprises, once implanted in the conventional working environment, Gen Z workers seem to be disillusioned by the boredom of daily assignments, the customary procedures in the office, or the inability to effect a tangible change in the short term.
These misalignments have confused both parties, and as a result, employers find Gen Z disengaged, while on the other side, Gen Z workers often feel stifled or unappreciated.
Communication Style Difference
Gen Z’s modern, digital-first communication style often clashes with the traditional workplace norms. This can lead to a misunderstanding with the employer and may even result in termination. Here are the key communication issues:
● Informal Communication: Gen Z tends to use casual language and emojis in emails and chats, which is perceived as unprofessional in a corporate setting.
● Brief or Vague Replies: Gen Z may respond with short, to-the-point messages, which can seem abrupt or dismissive to older colleagues who value detailed, polite, and respectful replies.
● Lack of Office Etiquette: Due to a lack of formal environments, Gen Z employees often struggle to understand the formal tone or the structure of an organization, such as finance or law.
● Generational Misinterpretations: What Gen Z sees as efficient and direct communication is something that is viewed as disrespectful by the employer.
Having a gap in generations, as well as a lack of communication, is not a great mix, but it leads to a lot of disciplinary issues. This failure to meet the company’s protocols often leads to employees being terminated.
High Turnover Culture & “Job-Hopping” Behaviour
It is quite common to describe Gen Z as people eager to grow fast, work meaningfully, and develop personally. When they are not addressed on an urgent basis, most people decide to quit their positions instead of waiting for several years to be promoted or get a change.
This has led to a culture of job hopping among young employees, who frequently change jobs every year or every two years. Many Gen Z employees are seen filling in job application forms while working in a company, as they get bored with things very easily.
Understanding this trend, businesses can decide to cancel contracts with such employees or be reluctant to invest in Gen Z workers if they feel they are not committed long-term. It is through this transactional approach that the cycle is worsened, as companies fail to invest, considering that their tenures are short. Meanwhile, employees leave because their development has not occurred or because they were not supported.
Increased Use Of Social Media
One of the major reasons why companies are quickly firing Gen Z employees is because of their use of social media to express their opinion about the jobs, managers, organisation, or anything that must remain behind the door of the company. Although freedom of speech is protected in multiple regions, public criticism, especially of the employer, breaches company policies related to confidentiality and reputation.
Due to this, many companies have adopted stricter policies as they face brand damage or backlash because of viral posts and videos made by disgruntled employees. So those who post stuff on social media criticising the company are often let go or terminated.
Lack Of Work Experience & Unrealistic Career Expectations
Employers have also reported some Gen Z workers as walking in with high expectations of being promoted as leaders or having fast promotions. Although ambition is a positive value, unrealistic time frames of progress may lead to frustration and boredom.
Moreover, a significant number of Gen Z workers begin their work in positions with little practice. Their resumes, which they get from CV Ireland websites, showcase their college training or online certifications that might not equip them with the complete requirements for the job environment.
When used in conjunction with feelings of self-confidence and assertiveness, this may lead to conflict with seniors who prioritize low self-esteem, humility, and patience during their initial years in the career.
Lack Of Confidence In Hiring Managers
Gen Z’s casual attitude has been working against them, as the following chart explains the major reasons why many hiring managers think twice before hiring a Gen Z.
This survey discusses the major concerns of recent Gen Z demographics who have worked or given interviews. These are the following beliefs employers have about Gen Z employees.
− Entitled
A majority of employers have noticed that Gen Z workers think that they deserve promotions, benefits, or flexibility without earning them. This leads to conflicts and results in them either quitting or being let go.
− Offended Easily
Some businesses believe it is challenging to provide candid feedback or maintain workplace harmony, as Gen Z is perceived as being extremely sensitive to criticism or opposing viewpoints.
− Lack of Work Ethic
Nearly half of employers believe Gen Z lacks the necessary effort or commitment, particularly when tasks are repetitive, rigid, or not aligned with personal interests.
− Unprepared for the Workforce
Many hiring managers have noticed that Gen Z enters the workplace without having the necessary skills to work. They lack time management, problem-solving, or professional etiquette.
− Poor Communication Skills
Digital-first communication practices, such as texting or casual emails, are frequently viewed as inadequate for professional settings that need clarity, tone, and diplomacy.
− Lack Motivation
Gen Z often lacks drive or commitment to complete their tasks when they feel unfulfilled or if the tasks don’t align with their career goals.
− Lack of Technological Skills
Surprisingly, Gen Z doesn’t know the basic, practical skills such as using MS Excel or LinkedIn profile optimisation, even though they were growing up in the era of digitalisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What industries are well-suited for Gen Z?
Gen Z should choose industries that are creative, tech-driven, and remote-friendly, such as digital marketing, software development, and content creation.
2. What are the benefits of hiring Gen Z employees?
Gen Z brings numerous benefits to a company, including digital fluency, creativity, and fresh perspectives that can drive innovation in the workplace.
3. How can Gen Z improve their chances of long-term employment?
They need to develop soft skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and professionalism alongside technical knowledge.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
The reason why companies are quickly firing Gen Z employees in 2025 is a multidimensional phenomenon influenced by varying expectations, technological changes, and changes in work cultures. It echoes not only about the nature of a new generation, but also about how modern workstations can or cannot adapt to new behaviour patterns. To achieve sustainable jobs and more effective teams, both employers and Gen Z must collaborate to bridge the generational gap.
