Why Gen Z and the COVID Generation Need Support Building Workplace Relationships

Not long ago, I was speaking with a group of early career professionals about their experiences starting work.

One person shared something that really stuck with me.

She said, “I know how to do the work. What I don’t always know is how to connect with people at work.”

That comment perfectly captured a challenge many organizations are seeing today.

A large portion of Gen Z employees began college, internships, or even their first jobs during the COVID years. Many of the experiences that traditionally help young professionals learn how to build workplace relationships simply did not happen.

No crowded offices.

No spontaneous hallway conversations.

No grabbing lunch with colleagues after a meeting.

Instead, many people started their careers through a screen.

The Workplace Learning Gap

For decades, young professionals learned how to navigate workplace relationships through observation and experience.

They watched how colleagues interacted in meetings. They saw how leaders built relationships across teams. They learned when to speak up, when to listen, and how to collaborate.

But during the pandemic, much of that informal learning disappeared.

It is hard to pick up workplace cues when the only thing you can see on a video call is someone’s forehead and ceiling fan.

As a result, many early career professionals feel confident in their technical skills but less confident about building relationships at work.

Why Workplace Relationships Matter More Than Ever

Strong workplace relationships have always been important. But in today’s hybrid and remote work environments, they are even more critical.

Relationships help employees collaborate across teams. They make it easier to ask questions, share ideas, and solve problems together.

They also help people feel connected to their organizations.

For younger employees who may have entered the workforce during a period of isolation, those connections are especially meaningful.

When people feel known and supported by colleagues, work becomes more engaging and more fulfilling.

Leaders Can Play an Important Role

The good news is that workplace relationships are a skill that can be developed.

And leaders have a tremendous opportunity to help younger employees build those skills.

Sometimes it begins with simple encouragement.

Encouraging new employees to schedule coffee conversations with colleagues.

Helping them understand how different teams work together.

Creating opportunities for collaboration across departments.

These small steps help employees expand their network inside the organization.

Relationships Are Learned Through Experience

One of the most important lessons I learned during my career is that workplace relationships develop one conversation at a time.

A short introduction.

A follow up email.

A quick coffee with a colleague.

Those moments may seem small, but over time they build a network of trusted relationships.

For Gen Z employees who began their careers during the pandemic, these experiences may not have happened as naturally.

That simply means organizations have an opportunity to be more intentional about helping employees develop them.

Helping the Next Generation Thrive

Every generation enters the workforce with different strengths and challenges.

Gen Z brings tremendous creativity, adaptability, and technological fluency to organizations. At the same time, many are still learning how to navigate workplace relationships after beginning their careers during an unusual moment in history.

With guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to connect, these employees can build the relationships that will help them succeed.

Because just like every generation before them, their careers will ultimately be shaped not only by the work they do but also by the relationships they build along the way.

About the Author

Rachel B. Simon is a former executive at AT&T and is now a keynote speaker, executive coach, and best-selling author of Relationships at Work: How to Authentically Network Within Your Company. Her insights help organizations strengthen workplace relationships to improve collaboration, engagement, fulfillment, and retention.