1 in 6 US companies are reluctant to hire young Americans in their 20s — cite their laziness and ‘lack of professionalism’. What’s behind this alarming trend?

The problem, according to the survey, is that many employers are quickly firing young workers after onboarding, blaming their lack of professionalism and poor adherence to workplace standards.

“Many recent college graduates … are often unprepared for a less structured environment, workplace cultural dynamics and the expectation of autonomous work,” said Intelligent Chief Education and Career Development Advisory Huy Nguyen.

He added that while new grads may have theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack real-world experience and soft skills. This mismatch can create friction between young hires and seasoned workers.

The survey highlights vexing questions about generational dynamics, workplace expectations and the flexibility of hiring managers to meet Gen Z in the middle.

Why are young professionals struggling?

One explanation is that Gen Z workers often reject corporate life, especially when it comes to tasks they see as unimportant. Tech entrepreneur Joe Procopio noted in a recent Inc. editorial that many young workers are frustrated with being assigned mundane tasks instead of meaningful work.

“It’s not that they don’t want to come back to the office. They don’t want any part of what they do when they get there,” Procopio wrote. “The reason there isn’t any work-life balance isn’t because life has gone away, it’s because work has gone away. It all just blends now.”

Additionally, younger workers may lack an understanding of professional norms like communication, dress codes, punctuality and teamwork. Growing up with a focus on work-life balance, many Gen Z workers view work as a part of life, not its center, which challenges traditional expectations of long hours and constant availability.

The pandemic further amplified these challenges, as many graduates missed key early work experiences like internships, which limited their exposure to workplace dynamics and professional etiquette.