A new discussion on The Excerpt, a daily news podcast by USA Today, says many Gen Z workers are getting hired but then fired within months, raising big concerns about young employees. Employers say Gen Z workers often lack communication skills, professionalism, and workplace readiness, which is why they are being let go early, as stated by employers in the podcast.
However, experts say this is not just a Gen Z problem, because every generation has faced criticism when entering the workforce, as explained by host Dana Taylor, USA Today. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment for recent college graduates reached 5.7% in late 2025, which is higher than other age groups, data cited in the podcast.
Gen Z’s top values are self-care (personal well-being), self-expression, and helping others. On the other hand, employers mainly want achievement (winning), strong work focus, and willingness to take on challenges. Because of this mismatch, companies hire Gen Z workers, try to adjust them, and then fire them if they don’t change.
The pandemic also played a role, as it changed how young people think about work, making them value flexibility and personal life more. During COVID-19, many people got used to working from home and focusing on happiness instead of delaying it for work. Today, most Gen Z workers prefer remote jobs, and very few want to work full-time in an office, based on classroom observations by Suzy Welch.
Companies that are successfully hiring Gen Z are focusing only on the small group (2%) whose values match their expectations. Big firms like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bain & Company are carefully selecting candidates based on values, examples given by Suzy Welch, as cited by USA Today. Many companies are now using tools like “The Values Bridge” test to check if candidates match their work culture before hiring.
Welch says Gen Z should not change their core values, but they must understand that different values lead to different job outcomes. She adds that Gen Z may need to choose jobs that match their lifestyle goals, even if it means earning less money. Finally, she says success means different things for Gen Z, often focusing more on work-life balance and flexibility rather than money or career growth.
Many employers say Gen Z workers often struggle with workplace expectations like communication, office culture, and long-term commitment, according to recent reports.
Q2. How is AI affecting Gen Z jobs?
AI is reducing many entry-level job openings, making it harder for Gen Z workers to gain experience and learn important workplace skills.
However, experts say this is not just a Gen Z problem, because every generation has faced criticism when entering the workforce, as explained by host Dana Taylor, USA Today. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment for recent college graduates reached 5.7% in late 2025, which is higher than other age groups, data cited in the podcast.
AI jobs changing hiring
Suzy Welch says this situation is caused by multiple factors, including fewer job openings and changes in hiring due to AI. She explains that companies are slowing hiring because they think AI can do many entry-level jobs, so they are being more careful. She also says some companies feel “burned” after hiring Gen Z workers, so they are now more cautious.Gen Z fired quickly report
A survey by Intelligent.com found that 6 out of 10 employers have fired Gen Z employees within just a few months. The biggest reason is a values mismatch between Gen Z and employers, not just skills or behavior. Welch’s research shows only 2% of Gen Z has the values that employers want, while 98% do not match those expectations, as per the research by Suzy Welch, as per USA Today.Gen Z’s top values are self-care (personal well-being), self-expression, and helping others. On the other hand, employers mainly want achievement (winning), strong work focus, and willingness to take on challenges. Because of this mismatch, companies hire Gen Z workers, try to adjust them, and then fire them if they don’t change.
Office culture vs Gen Z
Welch says this gap shows up in daily work life, where bosses expect long hours and strong competition, but Gen Z workers may not agree with these rules. Many Gen Z workers also question traditional work culture, saying older generations’ work styles did not always lead to job security, an observation shared by Suzy Welch, as noted by USA Today.The pandemic also played a role, as it changed how young people think about work, making them value flexibility and personal life more. During COVID-19, many people got used to working from home and focusing on happiness instead of delaying it for work. Today, most Gen Z workers prefer remote jobs, and very few want to work full-time in an office, based on classroom observations by Suzy Welch.
AI replacing entry jobs
Experts say remote work reduces chances to build soft skills like communication, teamwork, and understanding others. AI is making things harder because it is replacing many entry-level jobs where young workers usually learn these skills. Welch even shared that a worker in her own company built an AI tool that could do her entire job .Companies that are successfully hiring Gen Z are focusing only on the small group (2%) whose values match their expectations. Big firms like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bain & Company are carefully selecting candidates based on values, examples given by Suzy Welch, as cited by USA Today. Many companies are now using tools like “The Values Bridge” test to check if candidates match their work culture before hiring.
Welch says Gen Z should not change their core values, but they must understand that different values lead to different job outcomes. She adds that Gen Z may need to choose jobs that match their lifestyle goals, even if it means earning less money. Finally, she says success means different things for Gen Z, often focusing more on work-life balance and flexibility rather than money or career growth.
FAQs
Q1. Why are many Gen Z workers getting fired quickly?Many employers say Gen Z workers often struggle with workplace expectations like communication, office culture, and long-term commitment, according to recent reports.
Q2. How is AI affecting Gen Z jobs?
AI is reducing many entry-level job openings, making it harder for Gen Z workers to gain experience and learn important workplace skills.
