Gen Z is now firmly embedded in the workforce, yet many health and safety frameworks were designed for a very different generation of worker. Drawing on insights from the Youth Voice Census, this session explores how young people experience work, supervision, risk, wellbeing, and psychological safety - and what this means for occupational safety and health professionals.

From communication styles and confidence levels to mental health vulnerability and early exposure to insecure work, Gen Z brings new strengths and new risk considerations. The session will examine where traditional safety approaches may be misaligned, and how organisations can adapt supervision, training, and risk education to better protect and empower young workers.

The central message is clear: protecting young workers requires more than compliance - it requires understanding how they experience work.Gen Z is now firmly embedded in the workforce, yet many health and safety frameworks were designed for a very different generation of worker. Drawing on insights from the Youth Voice Census, this session explores how young people experience work, supervision, risk, wellbeing, and psychological safety - and what this means for occupational safety and health professionals.
From communication styles and confidence levels to mental health vulnerability and early exposure to insecure work, Gen Z brings new strengths and new risk considerations. The session will examine where traditional safety approaches may be misaligned, and how organisations can adapt supervision, training, and risk education to better protect and empower young workers.

The central message is clear: protecting young workers requires more than compliance - it requires understanding how they experience work.