Manager Hangs Discriminatory Note Prohibiting Gen Z To Apply For Jobs & Calling For ‘Baby Boomers Only’

Apr 12, 2023

Some people enjoy being at their workplace because it allows them to be in the company of people who share the same passion as them. Of course, it’s not the same for everyone as other people simply take a job to make ends meet. Sometimes, people will meet others with whom they won’t get along well – and that’s okay. After all, not every person is the same.

Then again, it’s an entirely different story if the environment starts to get toxic because people shouldn’t be made to feel bad about anything especially if they are doing their jobs. Understandably, generation gaps play a crucial role in maintaining a harmonious relationship among employees within the workplace. Whether people believe it or not, there is a chance for conflict due to the attitudes, values and beliefs of different age groups. Oftentimes, older people tend to think that younger workers are lazier compared to them or that they don’t have a say about anything because their senior peers think they lack authority.

Such was the case for a boss who criticized the work ethics of his Gen Z employees by leaving a note lambasting them. Then again, he got himself in hot water following his statements that were deemed ridiculous by people.

In April 2023, the Bremen Dollar Tree in Plymouth, Indiana received backlash after one of its employees hung a discriminatory sign outside the store condemning Gen Z workers while saying that only baby boomers were allowed to apply for jobs.

Generation Z are people born between 1997 and 2012 while people from the baby boomer generation are born between 1946 and 1964.

“I apologize for us closing AGAIN. My 2 new cashiers quit because I said their boyfriends couldn’t stand here for their entire shift,” the handwritten sign read.

“Don’t hire Gen Z’s. They don’t know what work actually means. NOW HIRING! *Baby Boomers ONLY, thanks!” he added.

Randy Guiler, Vice President and Investor Relations for Dollar Tree, Inc., told 16 News Now that they didn’t authorize the hanging of the controversial signage outside the store.

“We are aware that an unauthorized sign was posted at our store for a brief period of time. The handwritten message was absolutely not approved by or condoned by our Company,” Guiler said.

In a separate statement with CBS News, Guiler said it is not true they have a policy that prohibits Gen Z from applying at their company.

"Of course, we do NOT have a policy against hiring Gen Z workers. We absolutely do not," Guiler remarked.

Meanwhile, Dollar Tree customers have spoken on the issue. Most of them sided with the Gen Z employees.

One customer named Lindsay Berger, for example, said people shouldn’t be labeled lazy based on the generation they are from or the year they were born.

“You’re going to get people from every group who are lazy and work hard. I’m sure when baby boomers were young, they were probably also called lazy, and it just keeps going on from generation to generation,” Berger said.

Another customer, Elizabeth Wily, said that people should be kinder and more understanding because they may never know what these people are going through outside the workplace.  

“People just need to be kind and understand other people’s situations. You don’t always know what’s going on in somebody else’s life, and it’s not all about you. Be compassionate with another,” Wily said.

What can you say about the manager who posted the controversial sign? Do you also think he was in the wrong for doing it? Let us know your thoughts and share this with your family and friends who might find this story interesting!