5 Questions To Ask Your Gen Z Employees After A Holiday Break
Intergenerational Communication
“How was your time off?” is probably the most common question you ask your employees and coworkers after a holiday break. Or “Where did you go?” or “What did you do?”. Maybe you don’t ask anything at all and just want your employees to get back to work.
But getting back to work after a holiday break is challenging, especially for your Gen Z employees who may be experiencing a range of emotions from guilt about not working and stress about catching up to sadness about the break being over. Or maybe they are relieved and excited to be back. Whatever the case is, if you want your Gen Z employees to “get back to work,” it can be helpful to learn more about their time off. Anything you find out about their time off is information you can use to motivate and support them now that they are back.
Here is a list of 5 questions (and potential responses and follow-up questions) to ask your Gen Z employees after a break:
➸ What was the best conversation you had while you were off from work?
Responses: They may discuss conversations they had with friends, family, or mentors.
Follow-up: Ask if there was any particular insight or advice gained from these conversations that could be applied to work or personal development.
➸ What were you able to do that was just for you?
Responses: Employees might have traveled, pursued hobbies, or just relaxed.
Follow-up: Encourage them to continue activities that promote work-life balance and well-being. Discuss how what they do in their personal time contributes to their productivity at work.
➸ I imagine you are feeling [fill in the blank] and you wouldn’t be alone in that feeling. As you come back to work, how would you describe your emotional state?
Responses: Employees may feel excited, anxious, or somewhere in the middle.
Follow-up: Offer support or resources to help manage any negative emotions. Keep the dialogue open and let them you are here to talk about any concerns they have.
➸ In order to ease the transition of returning to work, what kind of support or accommodations would be helpful?
Responses: Employees might need extra training or a refresher on their role, emotional support, or flexible work hours.
Follow-up: Tailor your support to individual needs. Be open to accommodating reasonable requests and provide guidance on how to navigate the transition smoothly.
➸ After the next break, how would you like to feel when you come back? And how can we make that happen?
Responses: They may express wanting to return feeling rejuvenated, energized, motivated, or more connected to work.
Follow-up: Work together to explore ways to achieve those feelings. Discuss the role of work culture, workload, and personal well-being practices in achieving these goals.
These questions are tools you can use to foster communication, understanding, and a more positive work environment, benefiting both your employees and your organization as a whole. They also help align work expectations and individual needs, ultimately improving employee satisfaction and productivity.