Exploring the Intergenerational Communication Experiences of Generation Z Employees in Indonesia’s Public Institution: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study explores the intergenerational communication experiences of Generation Z employees working in government institutions in West Sumatra, Indonesia. As the youngest cohort entering the public workforce, Generation Z employees encounter challenges in navigating hierarchical and multigenerational structures, particularly when interacting with Generations X and Y. This study aims to explore how Generation Z civil servants experience and interpret intergenerational communication within Indonesia’s bureaucratic context. Using a qualitative approach grounded in transcendental phenomenology, the research investigates how Generation Z employees adapt, interpret, and respond to diverse communication dynamics in the workplace. The findings revealed six major themes: (1) supportive communication facilitates adaptation; (2) smooth and informal communication with Generation Y fosters harmonious collaboration; (3) etiquette-based communication with Generation X reflects respect for hierarchy; (4) communication gaps with supervisors lead to misunderstandings; (5) inappropriate humor creates discomfort; and (6) strategic communication adjustments help Generation Z navigate generational differences. The study contributes to the growing literature on intergenerational communication in public institutions by providing culturally grounded insights into how young employees perceive and manage communication challenges within bureaucratic settings. Theoretically, it expands the understanding of intergenerational communication within Southeast Asian public institutions, an underexplored context in existing scholarship while practically emphasizing the importance of adaptive, inclusive, and empathetic leadership communication.