Why some employers are hiring etiquette coaches for Gen Z workers

Some Gen Z job candidates are showing up to interviews with their parents. Others are FaceTiming at their desks or asking for raises via text just weeks into a new role.

Now, some employers are hiring etiquette coaches to help the newest generation of workers meet workplace expectations and bridge growing generational divides.

Workplace etiquette gets a report card

“People often forget to bring their manners to work,” said Jacqueline Whitmore, an international etiquette expert. Overall, she told Straight Arrow News (SAN) she would give today’s workplace etiquette a “C” grade. 

Whitmore has spent more than two decades working with professionals across a wide range of industries — from pharmaceutical companies to HVAC repair. She’s often brought in by employers who want to improve first impressions, client-facing communication or new-hire onboarding.

Gen Z entered the workforce during a turning point

Whitmore says Gen Z’s workplace behavior is often misunderstood, in part because they entered the workforce at a disruptive moment in history.

Many were still in school during the pandemic, attending class online during critical developmental years. Others started their first jobs remotely and missed out on traditional in-person experiences.

“There are challenges when it comes to dress, email writing, even basic communication like thank-you notes,” she said. “A lot of times we have to start at the very beginning — the basics.”

Whitmore typically begins her work by sitting down with clients for a discovery period, discussing past mistakes and how to correct them. 

Survey: many hiring managers prefer older workers

There appears to be a generational disconnect about what professionalism looks like in a post-pandemic world. While some Gen Z employees take FaceTime calls at their desks or wear sweatpants to the office, according to The San Francisco Standard, these faux pas can rub hiring managers the wrong way. A Resume Builder survey found that 58% of hiring managers who had interviewed Gen Z job candidates reported the applicant was not dressed appropriately. 

The survey, which interviewed 782 U.S. hiring managers, also found: 

• 31% said they prefer not to hire Gen Z candidates.
• 57% reported Gen Zers struggled with eye contact during interviews.
• 19% said they heard inappropriate language from candidates.
• 9% said a Gen Z applicant brought a parent to the interview.

Are Gen Z’s parents really joining their job interviews?

Jamie Lynch, a manager and content creator who focuses on generational work culture, says parents really do sit in on interviews sometimes. She’s witnessed it herself.

In one viral TikTok skit, a character named Tanya proudly reminds a hiring manager that she sat in on her son’s interview.

While the scene is exaggerated for humor, Lynch told SAN it’s based on real interactions she’s experienced with Gen Z hires.

“That does happen,” Lynch said. “It really does happen.”

Salary expectations are shifting, too

Whitmore recalled hiring an intern who, just three weeks into the job, texted her to ask for a raise.

Whitmore isn’t the only boss who’s been caught off guard by Gen Z’s approach to discussing money: More than 40% of hiring managers say Gen Z candidates ask for too much money — often too early in the interview process.

Whitmore recommends waiting until there’s an offer on the table and asking the right questions: Is this negotiable? Is there potential for a raise in six months? What else is included in the compensation package — like car allowances, company perks or Fridays off?

Still, expectations may be shaped by reality. A 2024 GoBankingRates survey found Gen Z makes up 38% of the U.S. workforce, and average annual salaries vary widely — from about $29,000 in Alabama to $51,000 in Washington State.

Whitmore added that Gen Z isn’t always motivated by money alone. In fact, many prioritize flexibility, balance and quality of life. That shift marks a major generational change.

“In my generation, if you didn’t text back at 10 p.m., you risked not having a job the next day,” she said. “But those days are gone.”

Bridging the generation gap

Lynch, who has managed Gen Z employees directly, says many of their choices come down to setting healthy boundaries — something she didn’t feel empowered to do at their age.

“I used to call in and say, ‘I’m so sick,’ and my manager would say, ‘Doesn’t matter,’” she said.

“Now, Gen Z says, ‘I don’t feel good,’ and they don’t show up. And honestly? I respect that.”

Whitmore and Lynch agree that many of the problems employers face with Gen Z stem from miscommunication, not bad intentions.

Whitmore compared it to cultural fluency — learning how to adapt to someone else’s norms instead of expecting them to change for you.

“It’s like going to another country,” she said. “If I were traveling to Asia, I’d do my homework before going over there — so that I know about their gift-giving customs, and the way they meet and greet, and all of these things. The workplace is no different.”

Social media discourse reflects the tension

A now-deleted post on X accusing Gen Z of lacking basic workplace etiquette sparked backlash and went viral.

One user responded: “Older generations are feeling very comfortable speaking as if Gen Z is incapable of being functioning members of society.”

Another user said: “You’ll probably find yourself talking about Gen Alpha and Gen Beta the same way later in life.” 

So… does etiquette still matter?

Whitmore advises all professionals, regardless of their age, to follow up on their commitments, communicate clearly and be intentional about how they show up.

“If you say you’re going to call, follow through,” she said. 

Etiquette is still important, she added, though it may need a rebrand.

“People think etiquette is just knives and forks,” she said. “But really, it’s the art of knowing how to treat other people — and treating others the way you want to be treated.”