Store Owner Sparks Outrage with “No Gen Z Employees” Policy
In a recent incident, a small business owner faced a dilemma with some of his young employees not putting in their best effort at work.
Frustrated by what he saw as entitled behaviour and rule-breaking, he decided to stop hiring anyone from Generation Z, often referred to as Gen Z.
He went to the extent of displaying a sign in his store window that read, “No Gen Z’s Allowed.”
This decision by the owner quickly gained attention on Twitter, where he shared his controversial stance on not hiring Gen Z individuals.
Cashiers Quit Due to Boyfriend Issue
The store owner’s ban on Gen Z employees may appear severe, but he had a reason for this policy change.
According to the sign he posted, two cashiers resigned because the owner didn’t permit their boyfriends to hang around during their work shifts.
While it’s reasonable for a business owner to expect employees to focus on their jobs while on duty, the cashiers refused to comply with this rule.
The Sign Causes a Stir
With the sudden departure of the cashiers, the store owner found himself short-staffed and had to temporarily close the shop.
But before doing so, he put up a sign in the window that read, “I apologize for us closing again.
My two new cashiers quit because I said their boyfriends couldn’t stay here for their entire shift.
Don’t hire Gen Z’s. They don’t understand the meaning of real work. Now hiring! Baby boomers only. Thanks!”
Understanding the “Gen Z” Label
So, what does the store owner mean by “Gen Z”? In simple terms, he is refusing to employ young people due to what he sees as a lack of a strong work ethic.
Gen Z includes teenagers and young adults born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2000s.
The oldest Gen Z individuals would be around 27 years old.
The store owner appears to prefer hiring individuals in their 30s or older for cashier positions.
Preference for “Baby Boomers”
The store owner is actively searching for new employees, but he’s set an age requirement for consideration.
His sign suggests that he prefers “baby boomers” as employees, which includes individuals born between 1946 and 1964.
This stance raises concerns about age discrimination, as he seems to be favouring one age group over others.
Age Discrimination Concerns
Predictably, the store owner’s sign sparked heated debates online, with Twitter users discussing ageism, stereotypes, and the owner’s hiring practices.
In the United States, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects job applicants over the age of 40 from age discrimination, but there are no such protections for younger applicants, although state policies may differ.
Diverse Opinions
Opinions on the controversial store sign vary widely. Some support the owner’s approach, while others criticize it as age discrimination.
One commenter mentioned their boomer parent’s approval, while another pointed out that this discriminatory policy could harm the business.
It’s worth noting that both baby boomers and Gen Z have their strengths, and some believe the younger generation can handle busy store environments better.
However, the store owner’s refusal to hire Gen Z individuals has reduced his potential pool of applicants for cashier positions.