Did you know that Generation Z will make up more than 1/4 of the global workforce by 2025?
Thus, it's crucial for employers to understand this new generation of people entering the workplace. Continue reading for a short guide on Gen Z profiles and their expectations.
Generation Z is a term used to describe people born from 1997 to 2012. A growing number of them are entering the workforce, and their profiles are very different from those who have come before them.
They care about a healthy work-life balance and consider personal wellbeing to be of utmost importance.
Gen Z is not as strongly driven by employees' usual primary motivator: money. They value salary less than every other generation. They're considered more fiscally responsible than Millenials, and they'd rather be independent than rich.
At times, they can be hard to manage. They have grown up on social media with amplified voices, and they're ready to challenge their employers and people with more experience than them.
In general, they demand more freedom in the workplace and don't respond well to being micro-managed. They are considered more impatient and undisciplined than the generations before them. They're used to instant gratification, so they often want to see quick results.
Gen Z respondents find it important to feel valued, included, and empowered at work. One poll found that 89% of them who don't feel heard at work plan to quit within a year.
They're very selective when looking for an employer, and will happily walk away from a job if the company is failing to meet their expectations.
When it comes to their employer, Generation Z workers have very different expectations than older generations.
Generation Z employees want to develop their professional skills. And it's vital that employers provide them with a comprehensive system that supports them on that journey. Like Millenials before them, they're prepared to undergo as much training as necessary to further their careers.
Polls repeatedly show how much Generation Z values mental health support, as well as the importance of working for an ethical business. They're more likely to put their energy into meaningful projects.
They also want to work for employers that are both flexible and supportive. We're moving into an age of remote working and flexible hours. And employers would be wise to consider different ways to keep their employees happy.
Gen Z does have high career expectations, but they're not willing to prioritize work over wellness, for themselves and the world around them. Their perspective has the potential to freshen up the workplace and society as a whole.
Generation Y, better known as Millennials, make up the largest segment of today's global workforce. They've reshaped offices all over the world, moving the emphasis to flexibility and wellbeing. They're committed to their work but aren't prepared to sacrifice their personal lives for excessive work demands.
They have similar ideas to Gen Z and paved the way for the new generation to confidently and assertively demand a better work-life balance.
The major difference between the two is that Generation Y is more risk-averse. And that's because they entered a labor force during the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Their main desire was job security, while Gen Z is more likely to leave an unsatisfying job to find something better.
It's vital for businesses to manage the expectations of their young employees. That's because unhappy workers won't be productive, and they won't hang around for long.
Born into a digital world, this new generation of employees can be an excellent addition to the workplace. But employers need to understand their needs and offer them the right support. Socially conscious and ambitious, Generation Z is searching for a harmonious workplace environment.
Did you find this article about new generation employees helpful? Get in touch with us and book a demo to see how we can support your company in managing the expectations of Gen Z and Gen Y employees.