Waiting tables, bagging groceries, and lifeguarding. These are just a few of the duties millions of teens perform each summer as they take part in a classic American right-of-passage: the summer job. Young adults aged 16-19 have been an essential component of the United State’s seasonal workforce for decades. However, following a global pandemic that raged on for two years, teens hold an unusual amount of power over their employers. As businesses struggle to fill positions, young adults are able to take advantage of more job opportunities, longer vacation time, and higher pay. But how exactly has the teen job market transformed so favorably?
The most prevalent factor at play was the COVID-19 pandemic. In March of 2020, the teen employment rate dropped to 24.4% as leisure and hospitality sectors of the economy (the primary employers for teens) were shuttered. Even as facilities slowly opened up over the next two years, businesses found it difficult to transition and hire back adequate numbers of temporary workers. The ‘Great Resignation’ in the adult workforce also contributed to employers’ woes; since spring 2021, 4 million adults have been quitting their jobs every month. Record-high resignations and trouble hiring temporary workers have forced employers to try and fill dangerous gaps in their labor force by incentivizing workers.
Wage growth for teens is now at 3%, nearly four times higher than the general workforce. In one instance, Jennifer Sutton, owner of a Utah-based restaurant, pays her younger employees $12-14 per hour plus tips—almost double the state minimum wage. Other employers have thrown in attractive benefits like college scholarships, stipends, and even paid vacation time.
However, not all changes can be attributed to the coronavirus. Even as the world approaches its new normal, the workforce remains vastly different from 2019. Although the initial pivot to virtual work was not a choice, many workers have grown to prefer it. Less time is being wasted than at in-person engagements where the commute time may be longer than the meetings themselves. Remote work has also led to stark increases in productivity, and people are more easily able to balance work and personal lives. In a study done by the Pew Research Center this year, about 60% of workers who can work virtually would choose to do so. Considering these employee mindsets, companies now have to work even harder to coax workers back in-person. It is important to note that some of these trends in the adult workforce are not entirely applicable to the younger population, but older teens pursuing internships or just entering the workforce are still able to benefit greatly.
All in all, the shift towards greater employee empowerment is just one example of the unique path that the younger generation has been carving for itself. Whether it be advocating for themselves, supporting social causes, or getting involved in political activism, Generation Z has made—and will continue to make—immense changes in our world.
