MANY YOUNG WORKERS WOULD RATHER GO TO ChatGPT FOR CAREER ADVICE THAN THEIR MANAGER. THAT'S A PROBLEM.

Many young workers today aren't getting what they need from their managers when it comes to their professional advancement. 

According to a new study released today by research agency Workplace Intelligence and Intoo, the career development arm of Gi Group Holding, an HR and talent solutions company, almost half of all Gen-Z employees say they can't turn to their manager for help with their career development.

Perhaps most grim, the report -- based on a November and December 2023 survey that questioned 1,600 full-time, U.S-based employees -- found that 47 percent of Gen-Z employees say they'd rather ask ChatGPT for advice than their manager. And it's not just ChatGPT they're relying on: These same workers would rather look to friends or family for support, or even social media, before their managers.

A sobering 44 percent of Gen-Z workers said they'll likely quit in the next six months if their companies and managers don't provide more career guidance. "The fact is, managers are often stretched too thin to focus on career development for their team members, and they don't know how to provide good career advice," Dan Schawbel, managing partner at Workplace Intelligence, said in a press release. "Leaders need to prioritize addressing these issues if they want to retain their talent and bolster their efforts around internal mobility."

Luckily, the report found that even a little effort from managers can go a long way. Workers who feel at least "somewhat" supported by their manager, the survey found, were seven times more likely to say they had made "a lot" of progress toward their career goals.

Companies can also offer learning and development programs, such as courses, classes, tuition reimbursement, and mentorship or career coaching, which the report found would help 80 percent of employees feel more engaged at work. Those benefits may also increase the likelihood of young workers wanting to stay at their company.

As Mira Greenland, CRO of Intoo, said in the press release, "Seventy-four percent of employees say L&D opportunities and benefits are just as valuable or more valuable than a promotion or title change. This is good news for employers since these programs often cost far less than salary increases."