An iced coffee debate has put Gen Z workplace etiquette under a microscope once again, with bosses voicing growing frustration over everything from bringing a latte to a job interview to dressing too casually and brushing off basic workplace expectations. The concern is real enough that it’s affecting hiring decisions. The good news: soft skills can be learned, and it starts with recognizing where the gaps are. We’ve rounded up takes from workplace experts and recruiters on why some young employees are getting fired, and what they can do to avoid it in a labor market where landing a paid role is already tough.
The Iced Coffee Incident
Bringing an iced coffee to a job interview might seem harmless, but to recruiters it signals something else: that you don’t take the opportunity seriously. As recruiter Caitlin puts it, that latte makes the interview feel like Gen Z workplace culture is treating it as “just another stop on your list of errands.” You have maybe 30 to 45 minutes to make a lasting impression. Leave the coffee for before or after.
What Managers Say Gen Z Is Missing
According to the Program on Negotiation, managers flagged several areas where Gen Z workers fall short: technological proficiency (39%), effort (37%) and motivation (37%). Communication skills came up too, along with a bigger issue—many workplace leaders say Gen Z employees struggle with constructive feedback. They take criticism personally instead of seeing it as a tool for improvement.
Entry-Level Workers Seem Unprepared
Bosses describe entry-level employees as lacking “key etiquette skills”—answering emails properly, conducting themselves in meetings, managing small talk in a professional setting. Some point to the COVID-19 pandemic and remote schooling as contributing factors. That disconnect between classroom and workplace has left gaps that are now showing up in real time.
Gen Z Workers Getting Fired at Higher Rates
When layoffs happen, young workers without clear initiative or professional presence tend to be the first to go. Employers cite habits like using TikTok slang with bosses, wearing inappropriate work attire, and lacking the drive to solve problems independently. In a tight labor market, those perceived shortcomings become liabilities.
The Initiative Problem
Here’s a concrete example: a vendor hasn’t responded for days, but a deadline is approaching. A proactive employee follows up, finds another contact, or looks for an alternative solution. A passive one waits. Taking initiative shows you can see a task through to completion, even when it requires some problem-solving. What feels like “a reach” to some young employees is just part of the job description.
The Authority Issue
Gen Z values authenticity and freedom, which isn’t wrong. But the corporate world still values respect for hierarchy and process. You don’t have to love the system, but you do have to understand how it works before you try to change it. As one recruiter on TikTok put it: you’ve got to earn trust before you challenge the boardroom. Speaking your mind without credibility reads as disruption, not innovation.
Professionalism Still Counts
Professionalism starts before you walk through the door—how you dress for an interview, how you carry yourself once hired. Apparently, some candidates still haven’t gotten the memo about interview attire, which speaks to a larger issue about not understanding unwritten rules.
Work-Life Balance Taken Too Literally
Balance is important, but closing your laptop the moment the clock hits 5 p.m., even mid-meeting, isn’t balance—it’s irresponsible. Balance is earned through consistency and trust, not demanded on day one. Show up, do the work, and then you can negotiate flexibility.
Pushing Back on Everything
Relentlessly questioning every request, ignoring direction, or treating workplace rules as optional adds up fast. There’s a difference between thoughtful pushback and constant resistance. The latter reads as an inability to follow basic instructions.
Do the Work
Not every task is exciting or aligned with your purpose. But you still have to do it. Refusing less interesting work because it’s “not your job” is a quick way to become expendable. Your paycheck comes with an expectation that you’ll actually earn it.
Structure Matters
A workplace without basic rules and accountability becomes chaos. Deadlines, clear expectations, and established processes aren’t red tape—they’re what keep projects moving and prevent money from being wasted. Delays ripple across teams and hurt the bottom line.
Millennials Aren’t Off the Hook
Gen Z workers aren’t solely responsible for this disconnect. There’s also a failure of guidance from older generations. Some parents have been so invested in protecting their kids’ feelings that they’ve set them up for workplace failure. It’s not too late to course-correct, though. Both parents and young workers can unlearn bad habits and build better foundations.
The Path Forward
A mix of factors created this gap: remote learning, lack of mentorship, shifting workplace values. But habits can change. The sooner young workers understand what’s expected of them, the more room they’ll have to grow, earn trust, and actually build Gen Z workplace culture that works for everyone involved.
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