Page 32 - EngineerIT June July Issue 2026

EDUCATION
UNCERTAINTY vs. APATHY:
The Gen Z initiative paradox
mployers are firing Gen Z
employees within months
Eof hiring them. According
to a survey undertaken by
Intelligent.com, the reason
comes down to initiative – 50%
of the 966 companies surveyed
1
said Gen Z lacked motivation .
Working with Gen Z, says the
“World of Work for Generation Z
2
in 2025”, is difficult .
By Insaaf Daniels, Marketing and People Director at redPanda Software
On the flip side, studies show that this generation isn’t so much lacking in initiative
as struggling with workplace uncertainty, and in South Africa, this presents an
opportunity.
The Deloitte 2026 Global Survey of more than 22,000 Gen Z and millennials across
44 countries revealed that only 25% of Gen Z prefer fast-paced career progression,
most enjoy gradual growth or lateral moves as they build expertise and opt for
stability over performative ambition.
They are cautious and recognise that leadership comes with wellbeing trade-offs
that they’re not entirely comfortable with making . 3
Words like disengaged, passive and lacking drive have become shorthand for Gen
Z in so many performance reviews and leadership conversations that the narrative
has gained momentum. So much so that perception is starting to feel like fact. But
the data tells a different story and if South African companies are serious about
tapping into a generation that will comprise 40% of the local workforce by 2030,
then it’s important to understand the difference between perception and the real
issue that’s causing the disconnect between Gen Z and the employer.
32 | EngineerIT June/July 2026