Workplace Safety by the Generations

The U.S. workforce is changing. Younger generations are entering the workforce and becoming the majority, while employees from older generations are becoming fewer and fewer. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated retirements, particularly among college-educated and White workers. Additionally, Gen Z has now surpassed Baby Boomers in the workforce…”¹

Specifically, as of the second quarter of 2024, the composition of the workforce by generation was¹:

• Silent Generation, or Traditionalists (born 1945 and earlier) - 1 percent
• Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964) - 15 percent
• Gen X (born 1965 – 1976) – 31 percent
• Millennials, or Gen Y (born 1977 – 1995) - 36 percent
• Gen Z (born 1996 – 2015) - 18 percent

With this shift in the composition of the workforce, new workplace dynamics, trends, and expectations will also shift.  But how will workplace safety and approaches to it shift? To understand this better, the characteristics of the rising generations come into focus.

About Younger Generations and Their Impact on Workplace Safety

When looking at the younger generations starting to comprise the majority of the workforce (Millennials and Gen Z), generational values play an important role in how they approach work. Millennials are typically “raised in an economically stable and technologically advancing society”. They are questioning, flexible, and growth-oriented, and Gen Z members are “raised in a digitalized, economically fluctuating society” and tend to be communicative, open, diverse, and collaborative.² Additionally, younger generations are acutely aware of their mental health and tend to jump from job to job³, both characteristics that have implications when it comes to how they approach workplace safety.

According to a blog post for Johns Hopkins University, “Generation Z is the most diverse generation in history, responsible for shaping the workplace of the future. Gen Z…are starting their careers during growing inflation, mounting student loan debt, a housing crisis, and an impending recession. In addition, they have faced catastrophic occurrences like war, social instability, and an increase in gun violence. On the whole, Gen Z has been dealt a difficult hand, and it’s defining how they engage in work.”⁴

As they bring these characteristics into the workplace, how work is approached will also change. Employers should expect to see4:

• Increased reliance on, and capability with, technology in completing work tasks.
  The younger generation’s affinity for technology is making impacts on workplace safety, most notably with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into aspects of workplace safety. Many of these digital/AI developments in safety resonate with the younger generations and prove effective in their safety training. Younger employees expect technology to be regularly incorporated into their workplace environments, including in approaches to workplace safety. According to a blog post by Intelex, “They don’t just tolerate digital tools – they expect seamless integration into every aspect of safety programs…For them, slow or outdated procedures simply won’t cut it. They thrive in fast-paced environments where powerful digital tools enable self-reliance and seamless collaboration.”⁵
• Greater awareness placed on mental health and well-being.
  Younger generations have been raised in a society that emphasizes the importance of mental health, and as a result, they expect psychological safety while at work. What does that look like? “For Gen Z, workplace safety goes far beyond physical hazards. They expect safety programs to support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.”⁵ It also includes expectations for work-life balance to help prevent stress and burnout, transparency and fairness (which includes safety protocols and organizational policies), the ability to speak up at work without fear of retribution or ridicule, and sensitivity to perceived discrimination, harassment, and microaggressions.
• A tendency to job-hop frequently.
  Members of the Gen Z and Millennial generations tend to change jobs often. The importance of this in regard to workplace safety comes into light when considering research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that shows injury rates for short-tenure workers are about 50 percent higher than the rates for workers with more time on the job.³
• A demand for greater flexibility in their work schedules and accepting different task-performing methods.
• A focus on ethics and social awareness among employees, themselves, and the companies they work for.
• A lack of engagement at work among co-workers, and with leadership, can lead to lower workplace retention.
• Higher stress levels could hamper work performance and lead to higher levels of burnout among the workforce.

What Can Employers Do?

As the generational shift in the workforce takes place, employers and workplace safety professionals need to note these emerging trends and use them to fuel the approach taken to workplace safety. Ways employers can address these trends include³:

• Empower younger employees
  It is important to demonstrate that the younger generations' opinions are valued at your company. In workplace safety, that may mean having representatives of their generations on safety committees, creating avenues for employees to contribute feedback on workplace safety processes and training, or hosting regular town halls where employees from all generations are encouraged to participate and speak up.
• Earn their trust by demonstrating a willingness to take measures to address their risk tolerance
  It is important to note that younger generations were raised in times of peace, as opposed to older generations raised in times of war. Because of this, younger employees do not approach risks like their older co-workers. They tend to be more cautious and need reasoning for why they are asked to do something that may threaten their safety. If they feel a workplace risk is unjustified, that can erode trust and loyalty with the employer. Likewise, trust in the employer can be negatively impacted if they do not feel they have been adequately trained or have the proper equipment to complete workplace tasks safely.
• Provide clear leadership and instruction
  If there is a lack of instruction or leadership, particularly regarding safety, younger employees recognize this, which diminishes trust in the employer. If there is no support from leadership, the younger generation is tech-savvy enough that they will find the necessary instruction on their own, which can lead to improper or inconsistent training in the workforce.
• Embrace technology
  the younger generations are comfortable with technology and how to use it. Employers need to recognize this affinity, embrace it, and use it within the company’s approach to workplace safety.
• Facilitate on-the-job training scenarios
  After they complete their training, employees need opportunities to test their skills in controlled environments where mistakes will not result in injuries, damage, or financial losses. In addition to giving employees a sense of accomplishment and fostering mastery, allowing employees to practice helps them form connections with coworkers.”³ Allowing for this on-the-job training also allows for camaraderie to emerge among co-workers. As they train together, they build relationships and foster an environment where mentorship among generations can occur.

However, it is important to note that while a conscious effort must be made to include younger generations, employers should not discount the older generations who are still in the workforce. It is important to identify the unique traits of each and adapt to ensure the needs of all are being met. Employers should also be aware that conflicts will occur between generations. When they do, it is important to understand each other's perspectives. Communication is key and employers' role is to encourage frequent feedback and provide a place where employees feel they can discuss conflict and concerns without retaliation.

How Concentra Can Help

Concentra® provides workplace injury treatment, pre-employment screenings, and physicals for all, regardless of age. Working with Concentra, employers can ensure all employees are receiving the necessary screenings and meeting all required guidelines to perform their duties safely. Additionally, Concentra utilizes Concentra Telemed®, which can provide a solution for younger employees who may prefer digital health care. Concentra Telemed also offers a behavioral health service, which can allow employers to address the physical safety that younger generations often want.

For more information on these services connect with a Concentra representative today.

Resources

1. “Changes in the U.S. Labor Supply” K. DeMaria, I. Page, K. Reuss, and Z. Zemper. Trendlines. U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. August 2024.
2. “The Changing Generational Values” H. Lee. Johns Hopkins University. November 17, 2022
3. “Engaging Millennial and Gen Z Employees in Workplace Safety” HR News Article. Public Sector HR Association. June 1, 2022.
4. “Gen Z In The Workplace: How Should Companies Adapt?” C. Donelan. Johns Hopkins University. April 18, 2023.
5. “Gen Z and the Future of Workplace Safety: Protecting the Next Generation of Workers” S. Gaddis. Intelex Blog. November 27, 2024.