Gen Z Hongkongers, shaped by internet, offered office etiquette classes

Most people may be familiar with the unwritten norms of workplace etiquette, but a company in Hong Kong has decided to offer courses on office manners, including tips on dress codes and body language, for the “digital natives” of Gen Z.

Online platforms have been buzzing with discussions about the work culture of Gen Z people born between 1997 and 2012, who grew up in the internet age and were forced to attend school classes online during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Threads, one user who identified as a millennial – those born between 1981 and 1996 – described the struggles of managing Gen Z employees.

“I have encountered some challenges when it comes to managing Gen Z [employees]. Some told me they cannot imagine not being able to work from home, while some said they do not want to get promoted but want to find meaning from work,” he said.

“I don’t want to generalise Gen Z, but can any Gen Z tell me, what are you looking for in your career?”

One Gen Z user replied, saying that “work should not occupy [one’s] entire life” and it was meaningless to be loyal to any single company.