Text or Call? Gen Z and Older Bosses Have Very Different Ideas of “Respect”

Workplace generational gaps often reflect unclear expectations rather than shortcomings of Gen Z employees. Examples show differing norms about lateness, disclosure, and deadlines, shaped by remote schooling, masks, and online communication during the pandemic. Managers should state expectations, feedback, and boundaries explicitly to prevent misunderstandings. The rise of AI further changes how teams communicate, making clarity and agreed norms more important across generations.