New Leaders’ Podcast: Why are young employees such SNOWFLAKES? With UNiDAYS’ Alex Smith

By Make a Difference
29 October 2025

Have you ever found yourself drawn into the narrative that young people today are SO flaky, needy, impatient, demanding, challenging, obsessed with their mental health and not dedicated enough to their work? Or maybe the line managers you work with have said this to you?

If this resonates, you’re not alone. According to CIPD, 64 % say young people often lack important social skills in the workplace, 71 % of employers say young people “don’t always know how to behave in the workplace” and 56% of employers think young workers are more difficult to manage than previous generations.

Meanwhile, an Open University study indicates that 72 % of employers report that young people’s (16-24) values and priorities have shifted in the last three years. And 58 % of organisational leaders say there is a mismatch between young people’s skill levels and employer expectations in the past 3 years.

The stats suggest a generational gap (in values, behaviours, expectations) is real and many organisations recognise it. The challenge is not only about the young workers themselves, but about how organisations adapt (or don’t) to new working styles, expectations, and behaviours.

At-the-coalface insight

In this episode of the Make A Difference Leaders’ Podcast, Alex Smith, Global Lead for Lifestyle, Leisure, and Wellbeing at digital platform UNiDAYS, shares his insight into the mindset of young people today.

Giving you ‘aha’ moments that will help you to relate to younger generations differently, Alex delves into the importance of self-awareness and understanding the different life experiences that shape team members’ perspectives. He highlights practical strategies for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Including insights into:

Understanding generational differences
Strategies for effective management
The role of empathy and self-awareness
The impact of AI on graduate jobs
Addressing mental health in the workplace
Final thoughts and takeaways

And, as always, don’t miss Alex’s unique answer to Suzy’s signature “alien question.”

You can find out more about our Make A Difference Leaders Podcast here and download the podcast episode from your favourite podcast platform or from Spotify here: