Just a few years ago, the number of millennial workers entering the workforce experienced a dramatic increase in the business sector. Today, organizations have to change their work cultures and align with the evolving global financial system to attract and keep top personnel. A new generation of job searchers, known as the Gen Z workforce, has formed as these developments began to take shape.
Who exactly are the GenZ workforce?
Below are 11 things the Millenial and Gen Z Workforce Expect From Their Workplace
Above all, Gen Z and millennials want an employer who cares about their wellbeing.
Gen Z and millennials want their leaders to be ethical.
Gen Z and younger millennials want leaders who support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Improve internal communications
Inclusive benefits that go beyond parenthood
They want their core values aligned with their company’s core values.
Employees with varying goals, ages, and degrees of expertise are bringing new dynamics to the workplace in today’s multigenerational society. The trials and innovations that millennials and Gen Z experienced while growing up have majorly shaped their perspective and conduct, even if the traits frequently associated with each generational group may not apply to everyone. They both belong to younger generations who have witnessed (and are witnessing) the evolution of technology. As a result, their worldview is much different from the preceding generations.
And so, their perspectives on work and methods for carrying out crucial jobs differ in several ways.
This brings us to a key question that is:
Who exactly are the GenZ workforce?
Generation Z, commonly known as Gen Z, refers to individuals born between 1997 and 2015. This generation is often the most diversified and technologically advanced since they have grown up with access to cell phones and the internet.
Some of the traits that make up a majority of Gen Z are as follows:
- Never goes a day without using the internet or social media
- Their first mobile phone was a smartphone.
- Educated oneself on global social, economic, and environmental concerns by watching content on streaming services.
- Developed a strong sense of independence and incorporated activism and social justice into their everyday lives.
From a broad perspective,
Generations in the workplace include the following:
68.6 million Gen Zs are living in the United States, out of which 38% of Gen Zs have entered the workforce.
The rising number of GenZ workforce alone makes it all the more important for companies to focus on their needs and work-life balance. In fact, to develop the next generation of organizational leaders, every employer needs to ask: What do our younger workers want from the workplace? And here we are to answer just that for you.
Below are 11 things the Millenial and Gen Z Workforce Expect From Their Workplace
1. Above all, Gen Z and millennials want an employer who cares about their wellbeing.
Gen Z and millennials are more likely attracted by employers who care about their wellbeing. This is because they are looking for a work-life balance and not just a job to simply make money.
While the work-life balance has been an issue for a long time, and now, the younger generation is more aware of this and wants a better work-life balance.
Some employers are starting to provide these benefits because they know that this will help them attract the best talent. It’s also important for employees to be able to maintain a healthy work-life balance in order to be productive and happy at work.
E-commerce company NextJump firmly believes its example proves that being a smaller-sized company should not be a barrier to helping employees with their health and wellbeing.
There’s been a fourfold increase in annual sales growth from 30% to 120%, and the only variable involved was an investment in its people: compelling support for NextJump’s belief that if you take care of your people, they will take care of your business.1.
2. Gen Z and millennials want their leaders to be ethical.
Gen Z wants to work for a socially responsible and ethical company. They want to work with leaders who are not only people of integrity, but also people who care about the environment and the world.
This is why we see more and more companies adopting wellbeing programs, better work-life balance, flexible hours, etc. Companies are trying to offer their employees the opportunity to have a fulfilling life outside of work.
Millennials are looking for a better work-life balance, which means they want to spend time with their family, friends, and hobbies while still being successful at work.
3. Gen Z and younger millennials want leaders who support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Younger millennials and Gen Zs want leaders who support a diverse and inclusive workplace. They are also more likely to prioritize work-life balance, which includes having a flexible schedule, taking time off when needed, and working remotely.
In the future, it is possible that we will see companies that offer these types of benefits for their employees. Again, this would be in response to the needs of younger generations who are entering the workforce now.
Nearly half of post-Millennial employees are racial or ethnic minorities.
4. Millennials are the generation that buys from and works for businesses that have a purpose at their core.
Millennials are the generation that buys from and works for businesses that have a purpose at their core. This is because they want to know who they are buying from, and want to be able to trust the company they work for. They also want to feel like their contribution impacts society, which is why many go into social work or other careers in this field.
The Gen Z workforce is also driven by money, which means that companies need to provide them with a competitive salary package if they want them to stay loyal.
5. Improve internal communications
GenZers are more motivated by purpose than money and want to be involved in decision-making processes. They also want to work for companies that promote work-life balance and offer a healthy lifestyle. Hence, employers should focus on these aspects to attract GenZers into their organization while retaining the existing ones.
This is not just about the physical environment at the workplace, but also about how you communicate internally. Companies need to make sure that there is a clear understanding of what is expected from employees and how they should go about achieving these goals.
6. Millennials want to be continuously engaged in many aspects of the business. They want to stay informed.
Millennials want to stay informed about what is happening at their company without being overloaded with information. They would rather receive a few emails or notifications than have to check the company website every hour on their phone.
There are many reasons why the GenZ workforce wants to be engaged in the workplace. The most important one is that they want to feel like they are a part of a team and not just a cog in the machine.
“Employees are the true ambassadors of our brand, the real merchants of romance and theatre, and as such the primary catalysts for delighting customers.”
– Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
Over and over again, Starbucks has invested in the idea of employees as brand ambassadors. The company’s internal communication tools ensure everyone’s on the same page about the brand’s key offerings and core values.
7. Fair pay and personal meaning
The Generation Z workforce has been largely shaped by technology and social media, leading them to have different expectations from the workplace than previous generations. They want meaningful experiences from their jobs that allow them to explore other interests while still making money.
GenZers want to find a balance between their personal and professional needs. They also want to find meaning in what they do and understand how it impacts society.
8. Inclusive benefits that go beyond parenthood
Inclusive benefits are an essential piece of the puzzle for attracting and retaining the best talent. It is no longer just about providing things like maternity leave, paternity leave, and childcare. Many companies are now going beyond that, adding benefits like parental leave for employees who adopt or foster a child, unlimited vacation time, work-from-home options, and more.
It is not just about GenZ employees who want these perks but also about their parents who wish to have their children get these same benefits one day.
9. Equity at all levels
The Millennials were raised with a strong sense of equality and want to be the change they wish to see and demand that employers work towards equity. However, GenZ is different in how they challenge gender norms and demand more fairness in their career paths.
In fact, GenZs are more likely to leave if they do not find an organization with equality and equity.
10. Flexibility post-pandemic
In the past, people often had to choose between a career and a family. Today, GenZ workers have the opportunity to enjoy both. The need for work-life balance is no longer just an option but a necessity. To attract GenZ workers, companies are making changes in their workplace policies and benefits packages.
The way that we think about work-life balance has changed in recent years. People want more flexibility than ever before, and they want it now! It is not uncommon for employees to ask for sabbatical or flexible working hours to take care of their family or pursue other interests outside of work.
Read how Google works towards bringing flexibility into their employees’ lives post-pandemic here.
11. They want their core values aligned with their company’s core values.
The GenZ workforce is a generation that has grown up with technology and is more independent than the millennials. They have higher expectations from their workplace and want to be able to work remotely, have flexible hours, and a healthy work-life balance.
This is why companies need to align their core values with that of the GenZ workforce to recruit them.
Conclusion
Gen Z workers are the future of the workforce and have different expectations from their workplace.
We have seen that Gen Z workers are very demanding and want to have a work-life balance. They also want to be able to do meaningful work, and they expect their employers to invest in their wellbeing.
Gen Z workers are expected to become the majority of the workforce in just a few years, so we must pay attention to what they need and want from their workplaces.
FAQ’s
What are Gen Z expectations in the workplace?
Gen Z has a different set of expectations and values regarding work-life balance. They want to be able to pursue their passions while also spending time with friends and family.
How is Gen Z revolutionizing the workplace?
Gen Z is a generation that values work-life balance, wellbeing, and looking for meaning in their careers. They want to be able to have a life outside of work, and want to know how they can make an impact on society.
What motivates Gen Z in the workplace?
- Work-life balance
- Wellbeing
- Flexibility
- Transparency
- Feedback
- Autonomy
- Purpose
How is Gen Z different in the workplace?
Gen Z in the workplace is different because they are more open-minded to new things. They come into the workforce with fresh ideas and more creative ways of doing things. They are also more interested in how their jobs affect society rather than just themselves.