Are Gen Z the ‘late generation’?

A survey conducted by HR software company CIPHR found that 23% of Scottish employees admit to being late to work at least once a month. The main reasons cited include bad weather, traffic delays, and public transport issues. Who was the late generation?

A recent study found that if you’re part of Generation Z, running 5 to 10 minutes behind is still considered on time. But only 40% of millennials agreed, while the number was even smaller for Generation X (26%) and baby boomers (20%). The question is, does Gen Z deserve the label of the ‘late generation’?

Historical Perspectives on Punctuality

Baby Boomers (1946-1964) grew up in a post-World War II society that emphasised discipline, hard work, and respect for authority. Timekeeping was seen as a reflection of someone’s character and work ethic. In the workplace, clocking in on time was strictly enforced, and bad timekeeping could lead to serious consequences, including job loss.

With the rise of the tech industry and the decline of manufacturing jobs, Gen X (1965-1980) experienced more varied work environments. Flexible hours started to become more common, especially in tech and creative fields. While timekeeping was still important, there was a shift towards valuing results over rigid schedules.

Millennials (1981-1996) came of age in a digital world. There was a growing emphasis on productivity and outcomes rather than presence. Many workplaces adopted flexible hours and remote work policies, judging employees by their what they delivered rather than the time they clocked in.

Gen Z and the “Late Generation” Label

Gen Z (1997-2012) is the first to have had access to smartphones, high-speed internet, and social media from a young age, shaping their attitudes toward time and punctuality.

 For Gen Z, the lines between personal time and professional commitments have blurred, leading to more flexible interpretations of punctuality. Being “on time” can sometimes mean logging into a Zoom meeting at the last minute, rather than physically arriving early. This perhaps explains their laidback approach to timekeeping.

Gen Z is sometimes labelled as the “late generation” due to perceptions that they are less punctual than previous generations. This stereotype is fuelled by several factors:

• Reliance on Technology: Older generations may view Gen Z’s reliance on digital communication as a crutch, leading to being more laid back with their time management.
• Casual Attitudes: The casual work environments can be seen as a lack of seriousness about traditional professional norms.
• Remote Lifestyle: The flexibility of remote work and learning might be misconstrued as a lack of discipline.

Let’s look at the evidence!

 A Workplace Punctuality Survey in 2020 found:

• Baby Boomers: 85% reported rarely or never being late to work. Exhibiting the highest levels of punctuality, reflecting the era’s cultural importance on discipline and respect for time.
• Gen X: 70% reported rarely or never being late to work. Maintain strong punctuality but show slight changes, possibly due to their focus on work-life balance.
• Millennials: 60% reported rarely or never being late to work. Display more flexibility, with a noticeable decline in punctuality, influenced by the rise of flexible work environments.
• Gen Z: 50% reported rarely or never being late to work. The least punctual, reflecting the significant impact of instant communication and the normalisation of remote work.

Sum up!

Different generations view punctuality and timekeeping differently due to the era they grew up in and external factors at these times. It’s unfair to label a whole generation of people as ‘late’ although, the adoption of remote working and having access to instant communication has resulted in this generation being more laidback with timekeeping. Companies have begun to prioritise employees’ output and productivity rather than the time they clock in.

If you are constantly late, that may be a sign that you need to move on – search now!