What Does Gen-Z Expect From Their Workers?

Currently falling between the age group of 8-24 years, Gen-Z has officially entered the workforce. As per sources, they will make up to 27% of the workforce by 2025 and hence are getting prepared to be your future employees. Being aware of their needs and goals, this ‘internet smart’ and ‘woke’ generation demands much more from their employers.

Their values distinguish them from those of their predecessors, which are Millennials and Baby Boomers, making them consciously choose and decide where they work. Some aspects that Gen-Z majorly looks for include:

• Ethical & Transparent Leaders:

Highly intuitive and observant, Gen Z are quite vocal about fair treatment at workplaces and appreciates transparency in the process. They won’t hesitate to take a stand for a cause and feel more validated when their leaders are open about their performance as well as ongoing work concerns. 

• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity:

As per sources, a survey stated 69% of Gen-Z would ‘absolutely’ be more likely to work at a company that promotes an ethnically diverse and inclusive work environment. Also, 47% of them identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color), which is much higher as compared to Millennials and Boomers. Apart from this, they expect their employers to be unbiased in terms of their sexual orientation and want their offices to be a safe discrimination-free space.

• Livable Pay:

Payscale satisfaction of Gen-Z has dropped down to 7 units from that of their predecessors. After jobs were highly affected by CoVID, this generation had to succumb to lower pay which often leads to frustration and lower job satisfaction. This generation prefers early independence and hence the pay to suffice their living expenses. In fact, 54% of Gen Z job seekers acknowledge that pay is their number one priority.

• An Employer Who Cares:

They are extremely conscious and outspoken about social causes thus expect their workplaces to care for them too. Be it environmental, inequality, or anything else, Gen-Z doesn’t hesitate to take a stand and believes in bringing in the change and would always prioritize places that support them too.

• Mentally Healthy Office:

Gen-Z has seen the world go through tremendous changes and challenges while growing up like climate change, political instability, and a global pandemic to be the least. As a result, they have been identified as the most stressed generation by the American Psychological Association. Thus, they want their employers to cultivate an emotionally supported environment where they feel safe and can openly talk about their internal challenges.

• Personal meaning & Growth:

Gen-Z highly relates to finding purpose within their professional as well as personal lives and want employers, leaders, and mentors who enable them to find that.

Bringing in fresh ideas and strong work ethics, Generation-Z seems to be promising and full of potential. It is in our hands how we decide to provide for their needs and shape this workforce inculcating innovation and self-awareness.

Life at GoodWorks is much more than work. We always strive to cultivate a happy, inclusive, and employee-first culture that not only proffers a safe environment for our GoodWorkers but also where they can grow. Their happiness is our satisfaction!