Myth Busting: What Are We Getting Wrong About Gen Z?

Discover what Gen Z really value at work, challenge common myths and explore how these insights can help you attract and retain young talent Myth Busting: What Are We Getting Wrong About Gen Z? There's certainly no shortage of opinions about Gen Z! From their attitudes to work and career ambitions to what motivates them and what they expect from employers, everyone seems to have something to say about the next generation entering the workforce. But how much of what we hear reflects the reality of employing young people today? As part of our FUSION programme, we've been exploring this very question, bringing together employers, young people and specialists to share their experiences and understand the different perspectives. Our FUSION Blueprint contains some fascinating insights, including what young people really value at work, what employers are experiencing and where perceptions don't always match. And that's what we're going to explore over lunch. Join us for our FUSION Myth Busting Peer-to-Peer Lunch We're inviting local business owners and employers to join us for a lively, informal discussion about Gen Z, exploring some of the common beliefs about younger generations and what the research and real-life experiences tell us. We'll be joined by Gemma Barstow, a member of our FUSION Advisory Board and a neurodiversity specialist with over ten years' experience supporting neurodivergent people. Gemma has delivered training to universities and large organisations across the UK and brings extensive experience of understanding and supporting different needs and perspectives. Together, we'll explore: • What the research reveals about Gen Z's attitudes to work, career ambitions and expectations. • Some of the common myths and stereotypes about younger generations and whether they reflect employers' experiences. • What motivates young people and what they value in their working lives. • What employers are finding works well when recruiting, managing and supporting younger employees. • How a better understanding of different perspectives can help us create workplaces where people of all generations can contribute and thrive. Our peer-to-peer lunches are designed to bring employers together to exchange ideas, share experiences and learn from one another. There are no right or wrong answers, and you don't need to be an expert on Gen Z to take part. Whether you already employ younger people, are thinking about recruiting them or are simply interested in understanding the next generation of employees, this is an opportunity to hear different perspectives, explore the findings and take away ideas you can use in your own business. Who should attend? Business owners, employers, managers and anyone involved in recruiting, managing or developing young people. You don't need to have participated in FUSION before to attend. Your business or employer must be registered in York or North Yorkshire (and have employees or be intending to recruit in the next 3-6 months). Event details Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026 Venue: Hotel Indigo, York Time: 12pm - 3pm Cost and lunch arrangements: This is a fully funded event (free) Book your place and join us for a conversation about Gen Z, the myths, the realities and what we can learn from each other. This programme is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions' Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.