The Blubber

According to a new Korn Ferry report surveying 15,000 employees across industries, job roles, and age groups globally, there’s a stark generational divide in workplace dynamics: while 45% of baby boomers report no issues working across age groups, only 17% of Gen Z share that sentiment.

One key factor behind Gen Z’s discomfort may be the growing absence of middle management—a trend picking up steam in corporate America. Companies like Bayer and Amazon have started eliminating mid-level roles, and those that remain are often stretched thin. This gap is likely fueling generational friction, says Lesley Uren, CEO of Korn Ferry Consulting, in an interview with Fortune.

“That missing layer of middle management may be contributing to the disconnect,” Uren explains, noting that boomers are often in senior leadership positions while Gen Z workers tend to be near the bottom of organizational hierarchies.

Generational tension also stems from differing communication styles and values. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents (49%) say they want more training in collaboration and communication, but only 27% of boomers view this as an issue. Similarly, 37% of millennials believe that core generational values are clashing in the workplace—compared to just 27% of boomers. These gaps are often exacerbated by today’s politically charged atmosphere, where younger employees expect companies to clearly articulate their values and mission.

“We often observe communication breakdowns when there’s a lack of clarity around who the organization is, what it stands for, and its overall direction,” Uren adds.

While some may interpret the findings as proof that younger generations are hard to manage or lacking professionalism, Uren pushes back against that idea. She argues instead that bringing a sense of purpose and idealism to the workplace—something Gen Z is often criticized for—might be exactly what’s needed.