Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2024 - 22

TOP TIPS FOR ATTRACTING AND MANAGING
GEN Z EMPLOYEES
preparing traditional recipes; to them
a meal may simply be a pairing of
ready-to-eat foods or something that's
quick to prepare (Ketchum PR., 2023).
If your Gen Z employees are going to be
involved in food preparation, you may
need to teach them the basics of recipe
preparation-including why changes
cannot be made on the fly for dietary
reasons-and how to use commercial
cooking equipment.
Offer flexibility.
Some Gen Z employees may still be in
college or juggling a second job, which
can make it tough to work on a set
schedule. Consider offering flexible
shift schedules that allow them to fit
the job within the realm of their life as
a whole.
Or, perhaps you create an online
schedule that allows employees to
claim shifts they want or swap with
another employee (Massart, 2022).
These can be more difficult for you
to manage, so they require careful
evaluation of feasibility prior to
implementation.
Act as a mentor to build their
confidence.
Among Gen Z nutrition professionals,
64 percent named imposter syndrome
as something they wanted to work on,
meaning they may not feel confident
in their role (Ketchum PR., 2023).
Mentoring younger employees can
help build their skills and confidence,
with over 40 percent of Gen Z folks
in one survey agreeing that mentors
help with this (National Restaurant
Association Educational Foundation,
2018).
Blair says, " Managers should
understand that they are dealing with
a highly impressionable person, and
are likely a big part of them growing
up and leading to their path of
success through life. Managers should
understand that Gen Z employees do
not know as much, and help them
with career development skills and
planning for their future " (S. Blair,
personal communication, January 22,
2024).
THE BOTTOM LINE
Successfully recruiting and
managing Gen Z employees requires
acknowledging their shared values and
characteristics, while simultaneously
remembering that every individual
does not fall into these societal
averages. Across the board, though,
a simple application process, clear
expectations, proper training, growth
opportunities, and mentorship will
go a long way in getting the newest
generation in the door and set for
success. E
CHRISSY CARROLL, MPH, RD |
chrissy@snackinginsneakers.com
Chrissy Carroll is a registered dietitian, freelance writer, and brand
consultant based in central Massachusetts.
ACE GRANT
OPPORTUNITY
®
ACE
&
JUNE 10-13, 2024 | RENO, NV
The Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation is pleased to offer
a grant opportunity to one member of ANFP to attend the Annual
Conference & Expo (ACE) in Reno, Nev., June 10-13! This grant will
pay for the recipient's priority registration fees. Application deadline is
March 31, 2024.
For more information, visit www.ANFPonline.org/ACEGrant
22 NUTRITION & FOODSERVICE EDGE | MARCH-APRIL 2024
http://www.ANFPonline.org/ACEGrant
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2024

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