Influence of Social Media on Workplace Expectations and Attitudes of Gen-Z Employees: A Conceptual and Comparative Study

Generation Z (Gen Z), or rather all people who were born between 1997 and 2012, is a group of individuals that is characterized by a unique exposure to social media. As this generation finds its way into the workforce in great numbers, companies are under increasing pressure to learn how digitally mediated spaces have shaped their professional anticipations and work dispositions. This conceptual and comparative research paper examines how social media use is correlated with Gen Z expectations in the workplace through a synthesis of the literature that exists on the topic. The research questions four main goals: (1) exploring how social media affects the expectations of Gen Z in the workplace, (2) exploring how social media affects the work attitudes of Gen Z, (3) finding the difference between the expectations stated online and the actual working experiences, and (4) comparing the expectations of Gen Z in the workplace with the expectations of the previous generations. The analysis shows that social media acts as a source of information and expectation-setting engine - it influences the demands of Gen Z to be flexible, purpose-focused and work, have constant feedback, and inclusive cultures. There is a significant gap between the perception and reality of idealized images of workplaces on social networks and the real-life situation in the organization. The research ends with strategic recommendations to HR professionals and organizations that want to recruit, retain, and engage Gen Z talent to ensure they remain productive and satisfied.