A significant generational shift is reshaping the modern UK workplace, with new research revealing that common office practices are a major source of anxiety for Generation Z employees. While older colleagues might navigate phone calls and water cooler chat with ease, for many young workers these interactions provoke considerable dread.
The Study: Unveiling Gen Z's Workplace Fears
The research, commissioned by Trinity College London, surveyed more than 1,500 people aged between 16 and 29 across the UK. It found that a host of standard professional expectations are causing stress for those born between 1997 and 2012. The data is striking: 38% of young people dread making small talk at work, while almost 60% said they would struggle to work with older colleagues. Furthermore, 30% admitted to fearing the act of picking up the telephone.
Dr Radha Modgil, author of 'Know Your Own Power', suggests this widespread trepidation often stems from a belief that the traditional workplace could be detrimental to their wellbeing. The report supports this, showing that 68% of respondents expressed a desire to work from home, 32% wanted mental health days as standard, and 28% favoured flexible hours with no emails after 6pm.
Expert Strategies for Overcoming Office Anxiety
Conquering Telephobia
Careers adviser Liz Baxter, who runs 'telephobia' coaching sessions at Nottingham College, notes high demand for her phone confidence course. She points out that while previous generations had no choice but to use the phone, Gen Z has grown up with texting, online booking, and AI chatbots, creating one of the biggest generational divides.
Baxter's advice is to start with practice calls to friends and family to master the natural rhythm of a real-time conversation. She stresses the importance of posture, speaking slowly, and smiling, as "the caller will hear it in your voice." Sophie Rains, a customer support manager, recommends jotting down the purpose of the call and key points beforehand to refer to if nervousness strikes. Her tip for handling difficult callers is to let them vent until they run out of steam, and to remember not to take hostility personally.
Mastering Colleagues and Office Chit-Chat
Executive coach Marie O'Riordan, the former editor-in-chief of Marie Claire and Elle UK, encourages young workers to view meeting new people as an adventure that can lead to lifelong friendships and opportunities. She advises starting conversations with safe, work-related topics like how long someone has been at the company, rather than diving into personal subjects.
"Gen Z often underestimate how flattering it is to be asked questions," O'Riordan says. "It shows a generosity and you can learn so much from other people."
Becoming an Early Bird
For those struggling with early starts, Dr Radha Modgil suggests treating the adjustment like preparing a child for a new school term. In the weeks before a new job, gradually bring bedtime and waking time forward. To build an efficient routine, work backwards from your start time: check travel schedules, prepare work clothes the night before, and lay out breakfast.
"These are things that all sound very simple but they help prepare you and can reduce anxiety," Modgil explains. She recommends treating each work month like a marathon, pacing yourself to maintain the mental and emotional energy needed to be present and effective.
The Path Forward for a Multigenerational Workforce
The findings highlight a clear need for greater understanding and adaptation within UK offices. As Gen Z becomes a larger part of the workforce, acknowledging these anxieties and providing practical support—from phone confidence courses to flexible scheduling—will be key to fostering inclusive and productive environments. The expert advice offers a starting point, empowering younger workers to transform workplace dread into professional confidence.
