Gen Z workers know just 5.3 office phrases, study says

Gen Z workers are among the least likely to understand corporate jargon, according to new research from CareerMinds, which found the average Gen Z employee understands just 5.3 out of 24 common workplace phrases.

Across all age groups, the average worker identified seven out of 24 phrases, while 48.8% understood five or fewer. The report points to a broader shift in workplace communication as hybrid work reshapes how colleagues interact and as AI automates many administrative roles.

CareerMinds said younger workers were less likely to understand phrases such as “in the pipeline,” “touch base,” “put it on the back burner,” and “hit the ground running.” Even the best-known term in the study, “in the loop,” was understood by only 57.3% of respondents.

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The report also references an external 2024 study suggesting social and verbal communication skills are declining, likely due to remote work. According to CareerMinds, that leaves younger employees less likely to feel they fit into corporate environments, both in person and online, which could affect career progression, confidence, and participation.

“For managers, the takeaway is simple: communicating clearly is a leadership skill, not a sign of being any less sophisticated.”

Augustine added that workplace jargon can be useful shorthand, but said the findings show how easily it can exclude workers who have not yet learned the language.