Generation Z, also called the Post-Millennial or the iGeneration — is starting to show up for work, bringing with them a brand-new outlook. Born between 1997 and 2010, the oldest among this generation are fresh graduates and are about to enter the workforce this year. According to research, Gen Z will make up nearly a quarter of the global workforce by 2020, making it the fastest-growing generation in the industry.
Unlike their Millennial counterparts who typically lean towards workplace tradition and are pushing for the flexible work revolution, Gen Z appears to be more pragmatic, money-conscious, and more entrepreneurial . And they also crave something very different: Stability.
What’s amazing about young talents from Generation Z is that they strive to make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small.
If you’re about to open your door to this entirely new workforce and want to increase employee engagement within your company, it’s important to note their generational preferences. Here’s what Gen Z candidates want from the workplace.
Gen Z employees are highly motivated by social issues and are eager to make a difference — be it in their personal relationships, communities, or workplace.
According to a research conducted by Dell, 38% of the Gen Z workforce dream of working for a socially and environmentally responsible company, while 45% crave for a job that has meaning and purpose beyond the salary. They’re not only one of the most involved generations to date, they’re also the most diverse, having grown up in and around multiracial and multicultural parents and communities.
Also worth noting is that, according to Dell’s research, the preferences of Gen Z employees differ from country to country, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. For instance, in the Philippines, a high percentage of Gen Z job-seekers are looking to work in a socially and environmentally responsible organisation, while in Thailand, the Gen Z workforce is willing to mentor those who are not familiar with technology as they are. It’s entirely different in Japan, however, where Gen Z is less involved in mentoring due to a perception that today’s employees should already be tech-savvy.
In terms of employee benefits, Gen Z workers are similar to their Millennial and Gen X co-workers. At the very least, they expect good health insurance, an attractive holiday package, as well as generous retirement benefits.
But Gen Z also has their eyes set on personal and financial security, with a strong desire for student loan assistance, maternity/paternity benefits, etc. And while the ping-pong table seems like a nice addition to the workplace, it may not win Gen Z job-seekers over when deciding for a company to work for.
According to David Anderson of IHateWritingEssays, a popular blog among college students: “Unlike other generations, Gen Z ranks job duties and projects in their top considerations when deciding to accept a job.”
With the rise of mission-driven organisations that integrate social awareness into their work ethics, Gen Z doesn’t want to just clock in and out. Rather, they seek day-to-day responsibilities that will make a huge difference, and they want to enjoy their work in the process.
Recently, job experts have shifted away from ‘work-life balance’ in favor of something that more accurately reflects modern-day work experience: ‘work-life integration’.
Gen Z workforce understands that in today’s connected world, work doesn’t have to stop the moment they clock out at 5PM. Instead, they’re looking for a more flexible job that allows them to take some time off whenever necessary, provides remote work opportunities, and caters to a culture of “unplugging” when the situation calls for it.
What once worked to attract Millennials might not win over the best and brightest Gen Z talents. There’s a significant difference between how Gen Z job-seekers like to work and how employers strategise workplace design.
According to various surveys, some workplace trends like unassigned seating and activity-based work, may not be in line with what Gen Z needs in a work setting. A typical Gen Z workplace wish list includes the following:
While Gen Z enjoys work-life integration, they will sometimes want to draw a clear line between the two and have dedicated work time. So if you’re an employer looking to hire a Gen Z workforce, it’s better to prioritise personal workspaces over buzz-worthy amenities and facilities like gyms, locker rooms, on-site yoga, etc.
Gen Z’ers will still value face-to-face communication much more than prior generations.
Having grown up in an Internet-driven world with constant access to technology, it’s pretty clear that Gen Z is comprised of expert multi-taskers. Time and again, they’ve proven their ability to excel and respond quickly to uncertainties and ambiguities. After all, Cloud computing, Google Docs, Snapchat, Pokémon Go, and Animal Crossing are part of their daily lives.
When designing the workplace, expect Gen Z employees to often require access to multiple digital solutions and technologies to get their work done. However, keep in mind that technology is simply a tool rather than a complete solution — Gen Z’ers will still value face-to-face communication much more than prior generations.
What’s amazing about young talents from Generation Z is that they strive to make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small.
While having a steady income matters to them, they will always get involved quickly in meaningful initiatives. Now, more than ever, leaders and employers will have to focus on how they can enable their workforce to connect with activities that add more meaning to their everyday lives.
By knowing and understanding their needs in an organisation, Gen Z will soon have a place to call home at your company.
Carol Duke is very keen on teaching students new, effective ways of learning. When not freelancing and blogging on marketing-related matters, Carol enjoys traveling, taking immense pleasure from visiting new countries.
Keep your Gen Z employees motivated with Hi5 - our simple, cloud-based employee engagement app (free 14-day trial) >
© 2021 Hi5, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy, Terms of use, Security Overview.
