Gen Z in the Workplace: Managers Say It’s Like Running Daycare
In a workplace twist that feels more sitcom than strategy session, a new survey from ResumeTemplates.com finds that 68% of U.S. managers who supervise Gen Z employees say the experience feels less like leadership and more like parenting. More than half (54%) go a step further: it’s babysitting.
Conducted in July 2025 with 1,000 U.S.-based managers, the poll paints a sobering (and sometimes exasperated) picture of generational disconnect in today’s hybrid work culture. It also highlights the long-tail consequences of pandemic-era onboarding—or lack thereof.
“They are adults who still act like teenagers,” one manager reported bluntly.
And that sentiment isn’t rare.
Managers vs. Gen Z: A Culture Clash at Work
While Gen Z often gets pegged as digital natives with strong values and a passion for purpose-driven work, many managers are encountering a less flattering reality: a cohort lacking basic professional readiness.
According to the survey:
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61% say Gen Z employees require frequent hand-holding
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52% say they struggle to follow basic instructions
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1 in 3 check in with their Gen Z team four or more times a day
And it’s not just workflow friction—it’s fundamentals. A whopping 90% of managers say they’ve had to teach Gen Z employees basic workplace skills, including:
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Accepting feedback without taking it personally (59%)
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Interacting appropriately with coworkers and clients (46%)
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Multitasking (45%)
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Admitting mistakes (42%)
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Dressing appropriately for work (36%)
Also on the manager’s daily checklist: reminding their reports to show up on time (48%), reply to messages (47%), put away their phones (41%), and even clean up after themselves (35%).
Blame the Pandemic—or Just Bad Onboarding?
The survey doesn’t shy away from suggesting one key reason for the disconnect: COVID-19. Many Gen Z workers entered the professional world virtually, missing out on in-person mentoring and organic office culture lessons that previous generations absorbed by osmosis.
“Gen Z’s entry into the workforce looked really different from previous generations because of the pandemic,” says Julia Toothacre, Chief Career Strategist at ResumeTemplates. “Many missed out on in-person training and onboarding.”
And the consequences ripple beyond just one generation. Managers report feeling burned out from the constant micromanagement. The resulting time sink affects team cohesion and productivity.
Not All Doom—Training Could Bridge the Gap
Despite the frustrations, experts argue that solutions are within reach. Organizations can lighten the load on managers by investing in targeted onboarding, hands-on internships, and group training—especially in soft skills.
“When managers are stretched thin, it affects the whole team,” Toothacre adds. “Organizations need to do more to support their managers.”
With Gen Z expected to make up 27% of the workforce by 2027, companies can’t afford to ignore the friction. Better preparation today could mean fewer babysitting shifts tomorrow.
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