CIHRM urges employers to embrace flexible work for Gen Z
The Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM) has called on employers and human resource professionals to adopt flexible working arrangements to meet the changing needs and expectations of Generation Z (Gen Z) workers.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Institute’s 2026 Ashanti Regional Conference, CIHRM Ashanti Regional Secretary Audrey Fosu Afriyie said organisations must review their workplace policies to reflect changing labour trends, particularly as some Gen Z employees seek to balance their regular jobs with personal businesses.
She stressed that understanding generational differences in the workplace was essential to improving employee engagement and productivity. She therefore encouraged HR practitioners to consider flexible working hours and remote work options where possible.
“When we identify these differences, we realise that they want a relaxed working environment. This is the time for HR managers and practitioners to embrace flexibility in working hours, where possible,” she said.
Ms Fosu Afriyie noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated that employees could work effectively from home, adding that employers needed to find ways to accommodate the preferences of younger workers while maximising their contributions.
“COVID-19 taught us that people can work conveniently from home. I think Gen Zs want a softer life, so we have to find ways to accommodate their preferences and partner with them to get the best out of them,” she added.
The conference was held under the theme, “People, Productivity and Compliance: HR That Works for Every Size.”
It brought together human resource practitioners and other stakeholders to examine emerging workplace trends and the need for HR professionals to adapt to technological developments, shifting labour dynamics and changing expectations among employers and employees.
Participants also highlighted the importance of continuous professional development in equipping HR practitioners with the relevant knowledge and skills to remain effective and respond to the evolving demands of the workplace.
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