How to Respond to Gen Z Saying “That’s Not My Job” (Without HR Drama)
Manage episode 509638772 series 3687702
A last-minute request. A firm “That’s not in my job description.” Now what?
In this straight-to-camera episode of Handled by The Y Variable, I break down how managers can respond to Gen Z boundaries without creating HR drama. You’ll get the exact three-part reset ("Context", "Clarity", "Choice"), simple language for defining what’s flexible vs. a hard stop, and a fair way to keep reciprocity visible. We’ll also cover what to do when “no” becomes a pattern—diagnose conditions, don’t win arguments—and practical lines early-career pros can use to protect their reputation while protecting their time.
You’ll learn:
The real meaning behind “That’s not my job” (often about clarity, capacity, or trust)
The on-the-spot reset: Context, Clarity, Choice
Exact lines for after-hours asks (and how to still hit the deadline)
How to set team flexibility without losing boundaries
A manager diagnostic for chronic “no”
Smart scripts for early-career pros
Work with me: speaking, trainings, manager toolkits. Check out: theyvariable.com
Say hi: www.linkedin.com/in/yaa-hemaa-obiri-yeboah-3231659
5 episodes