A third of Gen Z believe mental health days should be a standard workplace benefit as polling reveals they worry more about human interaction than artificial intelligence.
Working with unknown people, having to make small talk, anxiety about using the phone and having to get up early every morning were the biggest sources of anxiety for young employees, the poll found.
They were also more concerned about standard office interactions than the thought that their job could become redundant because of AI.
• Alice Thomson: Demystify the workplace for anxious Gen Z
The survey of more than 1,500 people aged 16 to 29 across the UK, was conducted by Trinity College London, an organisation that offers qualifications in music, drama and English language.
It found that 21 per cent had or were dreading entering the workplace for the first time, while 33 per cent of those in employment said it was challenging.
Topping the list of anxieties are working with people (42 per cent), having to make small talk (38 per cent) and anxiety about using the phone (30 per cent). Having to present work (25 per cent) and accept criticism (22 per cent) were other concerns, while 22 per cent were worried about AI replacing them. Thirty per cent feared the prospect of sticking up for themselves, and 28 per cent said the idea of early mornings and having to be on time filled them with dread.
Old-school office banter was considered inappropriate and offensive by 50 per cent of respondents, and 68 per cent wished they could work from home while 59 per cent said they struggled to work with colleagues from older generations.
Feigning enthusiasm and working without wearing headphones were also bugbears for some.
Students at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School in Lancashire were given a lesson on how to make phone calls and manage the anxiety of speaking to university admissions officers
RYAN JENKINSON FOR THE TIMES
Asked what changes they would make to the workplace if they could, 32 per cent cited mental health days as standard, while 28 per cent would drop the 9am to 5pm working day and replace it with flexible hours. They also favoured salary transparency, no emails after 6pm, fewer meetings, on-site therapy, inclusive policies and pet-friendly offices.
Eighteen per cent thought Gen Z workers should have seats at the decision table and 13 per cent wanted collaborative decision making and de-centralised leadership.
The research suggested that those who had studied performance and creative subjects were more likely to feel work-ready and be confident about sharing opinions and presenting work.
• Hannah Prevett: Gen Z is redefining work — and driving their managers mad
Eleanor Andressen, chief academic officer at Trinity College London, said: “Many of Gen Z’s workplace anxieties and the skills employers are increasingly seeking — from presenting ideas to accepting feedback — are exactly the skills that creative and performance education develops naturally.”
Teenagers are being taught how to make phone calls and manage the anxiety of speaking to university admissions officers before clearing.
The Times reported this year that schools are helping many pupils who are not used to having phone conversations. Most use their phones to send texts or voice notes instead.
• My day helping the teenagers too terrified to make a phone call
Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School in Lancashire is one school teaching pupils to use phones for conversations in a professional setting.
Teenagers expressed dread and anxiety about ringing university admissions teams so the school developed a bespoke enrichment scheme which runs weekly for six months. It covers mock university interviews and workshops on how to email and phone university departments.