Gen Z is getting fired at record levels, and employers blame these 9 habits

So, you finally secured the bag and landed a “big girl” job, but are you actually safe? It sounds dramatic, but the numbers painting the 2025 labor market don’t lie. According to a startling Intelligent.com report, six in ten employers admitted to firing recent college graduates just months after hiring them. Even scarier? One in six hiring managers is now hesitant to hire from this generation entirely.

I remember my first job—I was so terrified I didn’t even ask for a stapler. But today, the vibe has shifted. Employers are facing a “maturity gap” that is leading to record turnover rates. Is it a generational clash or a failure of the system? It’s a bit of both. 

Here are the nine specific habits that bosses say are getting Zoomers sent home early.

They lack initiative and motivation

Employers want go-getters, but they’re finding “quiet quitters” instead. A massive 50% of managers surveyed cited a lack of motivation or initiative as the top reason for letting Gen Z hires go. Instead of jumping in to help, new hires often wait to be told precisely what to do, step by step.

This “act your wage” mindset might work for TikTok, but it destroys trust in a collaborative office. Bosses aren’t looking for robots; they need problem solvers who don’t need a manual for every single task.

Communication skills are falling flat

Ever wondered why no one picks up the phone anymore? It turns out that “phone phobia” is a real career killer. 39% of managers fired recent grads specifically for poor communication skills. The reliance on text and Slack has left many unable to handle face-to-face conflict or pick up on non-verbal cues.

I’ve seen this firsthand—emails that read like DMs and a total freeze-up when a client calls. In the corporate world, you can’t ghost a difficult conversation and expect to keep your desk.

Professionalism is practically nonexistent

We aren’t just talking about tardiness (though that’s huge). We’re talking about basic office etiquette. 46% of employers cite a lack of professionalism as a key reason for firing, according to Intelligent.com. Stories of new hires leaving trash in shared spaces or using inappropriate language are becoming all too common.

It’s gotten so bad that nine in ten managers believe recent grads need formal etiquette training just to function in an office. If you’re waiting for the janitor to clean up your lunch wrapper, you’re doing it wrong.

They can’t handle constructive feedback

Resilience is a muscle, and apparently, it hasn’t been exercised enough. More than half of the companies surveyed stated that Gen Z hires “do not respond well to feedback“. Instead of seeing a critique as a chance to grow, many view it as a personal attack or “toxic” behavior.

This defensive fragility makes mentorship impossible. If your boss has to walk on eggshells to correct a typo, they’ll eventually stop walking to your desk altogether.

The “Google reflex” kills problem-solving

Why think when you can just search? Employers report that younger workers often struggle with deep analytical thinking because they are used to instant answers. 34% of managers cited inadequate problem-solving abilities as a reason for termination, according to a survey by Intelligent.com

When the internet doesn’t have the answer, work grinds to a halt. Companies need thinkers who can connect the dots, not just regurgitate what’s on the first page of Google results.

Entitlement is running rampant

We all want to be the CEO, but usually not on day one. Yet, 29% of hiring managers describe recent grads as “entitled”. There is a frequent expectation for rapid promotions, high salaries, and flexibility before proving any value to the team.

I once had an intern ask for a raise three weeks in. While confidence is key, demanding senior-level perks for entry-level output is a fast track to the exit door.

Dress codes are causing significant confusion

The “Office Siren” trend might look fire on Instagram, but it’s causing headaches in HR. 58% of hiring managers disapprove of Gen Z’s dress sense, citing outfits that are too revealing or overly casual for client-facing roles.

It’s a confusing time for fashion, sure, but showing up in sweatpants or clubwear signals you don’t take the role seriously. If you have to ask if it’s appropriate, it probably isn’t.

Parents are crashing the workplace

This is arguably the most shocking trend. Nearly one in ten hiring managers has had a candidate bring a parent to an interview. Some reports even indicate parents are calling bosses to negotiate salaries or complain about workloads.

This level of dependency screams, “I am not ready for adulthood.” If your mom has to fight your battles, an employer knows you won’t be able to handle a demanding client on your own.

Digital addiction is a productivity killer

It’s hard to work when you’re doom-scrolling. 78% of employers cite excessive phone use as a major complaint. The inability to disconnect from the screen for an hour-long meeting is viewed as time theft and blatant disrespect.

Key Takeaway

The stats are harsh, but they aren’t a life sentence. Employers are looking for resilience, initiative, and autonomy. If you can show up on time, put the phone down, and solve problems without your parents’ help, you’ll already be ahead of the pack. The bar is low—so go slay it (professionally, of course).

Read the Original Article on Crafting Your Home.