With Gen Z poised to account for a third of the American workforce this year, and surpass the number of Baby Boomers in the workforce, employers are closely watching this newest generation's needs and interests.

Understanding Gen Z as part of a multigenerational workforce can help HR leaders attract and retain these workers, experts say, especially important with a tight labor market where 8 million jobs remain unfilled nationwide. Yet, effectively managing a multigenerational workforce has never been as challenging, with employers facing the most age-diverse workforce in history, with each age group bringing different skills and expectations.

Gen Z employees are often different from other generations on several fronts: from higher rates of burnout to the importance they place on strong connections with co-workers, according to The Hartford's recently released 2024 Future of Benefits Report.