b"Next Gen Employees Are Eager to WorkUnder the Right ConditionsTo compete with larger, central companies, small businesses must offer clear expectations, work-life balance and the ability to grow.Ally RodenTHE SEED INDUSTRYis no differ- the Great Recession (Dec. 2007-JuneIn the past, many employers have ent than many other industries out2009) and feeling those impacts person- viewed employees in positions lower on thereit can be difficult to entice nextally, Generation Z no longer follows thethe totem pole as just happy to get the generation employees to relocate tosystem of starting at the bottom andjob and do that role for the rest of their a rural area for a small business. Whileworking their way up over time. To getlives with no growth. Yet the times are larger companies have the funds to raisethat edge over other businesses and winchanging, and that is no longer the case compensation and elevate benefits,over Generation Z employees, a companydue to an influx of need for talented indi-mom-and-pops struggle to remain top- must offer great opportunity and clearviduals in the workforce.of-mind for future employees.expectations, according to Waschek. Regardless of the role, most folks Despite the obvious importance of aIt isn't so much the dollar value of thearen't just happy with that. Even folks competitive salary, money is not the onlysalary as much as it is the opportunity tothat are looking at these hourly roles major factor considered when it comes tobe part of something and to grow, he what the next generation of employees issays. Many of the roles that I have placed searching for. Nearly all reputable compa- in the months since COVID started at nies are already offering fair pay and bene- equal or less money because people are fits. In order to successfully recruit youngerevaluating what's important. A lot of employees, it is imperative to understandcompanies are saying, We have to what motivates and entices them.pay people more to keep them. A common misconception surround- Which is true, but that's because ing Generation Z employees entering thethey want to leave, and you have workforce is that they have a lazy workto keep them.ethic and lack the want or motivation to prove themselves. In reality, many people dont understand the value system shift that has occurred over the last few dec-ades.Generation Z were born starting around 9/11. The economy has struggled, political battles have ensued and global issues have grown out of epic propor-tions during the last 20 years as they have been growing up and learning about this environment, says Mark Waschek, presi-dent of Ag1Source.Due to the exposure to these major life events, this generation is going to be much more cautious about choosing an organization to work with. After watching their parents get let go from jobs during 32/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2023"