The Employee Place (EMP) Industry Meet-Up, now in its fifth year, recently convened at the CIBN Bankers Hall, Lagos, uniting thought leaders to delve into Generation Z’s influence on the professional landscape.

Esteemed speakers, including Joseph Onaolapo (Jay On-air), Makuochukwu Okafor-Obi, and Sheriff Adekoya, explored pivotal themes such as consumerism, innovation, and the essence of trust in the context of modern workplaces.

A notable highlight of the event was the presentation of a survey conducted with 1,000 professionals from various organizations, aimed at understanding Gen Z’s impact on key workplace dynamics including consumerism, innovation, sustainability, and leadership. The study unveiled insightful data on how Gen Z integrates and influences the professional environment.

Nduneche Ezurike, erstwhile Group Head Brand and Marketing Communication at Polaris Bank and the event’s convener, emphasized the crucial understanding of Generation Z as both a workforce and a consumer base. Insights from the survey revealed that a significant portion of Gen Z professionals feel empowered to share innovative ideas, signalling a shift towards more inclusive workplace cultures.

However, traditional workplace norms present notable barriers, with a substantial number of respondents highlighting resistance to change, particularly in aligning with Gen Z’s sustainability values and digital consumer preferences.

The survey underscored Gen Z’s role as agents of change, with findings indicating a strong preference for digital consumption patterns and a call for workplaces to adapt to their sustainability and inclusivity expectations.

Despite these challenges, there’s a positive outlook on Gen Z’s leadership, particularly in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a majority of respondents acknowledging their effectiveness in these areas.

Panel discussions further amplified the conversation, with speakers advocating for the embrace of Gen Z’s unique contributions to innovation and ethical practices in business. The lively engagement from attendees added a rich diversity of perspectives to the discussions.

Ezurike extended gratitude to CIBN for hosting the event, the panelists for their insightful contributions, survey participants for their invaluable input, and the audience for their active participation.