Gen Z is soon going to surpass the Millennials as the most populous generation of the time. Even now, more than one-third of the world’s entire population counts themselves as Gen Z.
In the USA, Gen Z are about more than a quarter of the population. Moreover, it is safe to conclude that they are the most diverse generation in the history of ever.
As this generation is about to step out on the world stage, the effects of their entry will be profound and swift, its impacts rippling through the workplace, politics, culture, technology, and retail consumption.
Fundamentally different from Millennials, these people have a completely unique perspective on careers and how to define success in the workforce and also in life.
To clearly understand the challenges faced by this soaring workforce and their impacts on the workforce and the employers, you should read this blog.
Here, we have answered the main question “What do Gen Z employees really want” but first, we need you to understand…
Who Is Generation Z?
Considering the experiences of this generation growing up in the aftershock of the Great Recession, it is not unusual to think Gen Z has grown as a risk-averse, pragmatic, and non-entrepreneurial bunch fascinated by job security. However, this is not the case! They are more nuanced than we give them credit for. Regardless of our opinions, salary is not the sole motivating factor for these employees. They also prioritise the work culture more than anything. For instance, if you give a gen-Z an opportunity of a well-paying CV Writings job or a job that is more intriguing but does not pay as well, they would opt for the latter one without a second thought. Therefore, to get to the hearts of this workforce, businesses and employers will have to shed light on their efforts and foster a great work environment.
Back To Square One: What Do These Employees Want?
When it boils down to job satisfaction, Gen Z-ers are not at all shy about asking for exactly whatever they require. Most of the time, the satisfaction factors for this workforce are:
- A healthy work-life balance
- A friendly team
- Flexible hours or remote working options
- Health and life insurance
It might come as a shock to you, but these people care more about having friendly colleagues rather than having a good and knowledgeable manager. Similarly, these employees prefer flexible working hours to having career progression chances.
Okay But, What Do The Employers Offer?
Nowadays, employees are aware of their requirements and what they expect from their work. However, do these things align with what they are actually given? Mostly, Gen Z get the perks mentioned below:
- A friendly team
- A manager who happily shares their knowledge and offers mentorship
- Learning and development opportunities
- A healthy work-life balance
For all intents and purposes, there is some crossover between what employees want from their jobs and what they receive. However, employers nowadays are more inclined towards offering their workforce with remote work rather than providing them with health insurance. Similarly, the average employees are getting plenty of development and learning opportunities in their workplaces. However, when it narrows down to uncovering their creative potential, their options become more restricted.
How Can Employers Improve Workplace Satisfaction?
From the perspective of an employer, workplace satisfaction can be absolutely important to the business. Employees who feel appreciated and valued are more likely to perform well in their jobs as compared to the workers who spend all their energy and time thinking about “How to ask for promotion”. And, it is no secret that satisfied employees are the reason behind any company’s enhanced productivity. Thus, employers need to focus on:
- Flexible hours or remote work
- Health and life insurance
- Retirement benefits
- A healthy work-life balance
Things That Employees Are Less Likely To Appreciate
Now that we are all aware of the things that will be appreciated by the employees, how about we look into the factors that are not as appreciated by this generation as they have been before? Here is a list:
- An inclusive workplace
- Free food/snacks in the office
- Fun corporate events
- Learning and development opportunities
However, such perks are definitely more valued by a few employees, but, not all employees feel the same about them. Workers from various backgrounds, for instance, might be more like to care about inclusivity initiatives.
What are Gen Z employees searching for?
Gen Z are really concerned about mental health and work-life balance. Maintaining their physical and mental health and having a proper work-life balance is all they are searching for.
What are the factors that can make Gen Z happy at their workplaces?
There are a lot of factors that can make a Gen Z-er happy and content in their workplace. These factors might include:
- Job loyalty
- Satisfaction at work
- The quality of their physical, mental, financial, and social health
- Level of engagement and a lot more
What are the major work habits of Gen Z workers?
Gen Z employees do not mind working in teams. However, a lot of them prefer to work on individual projects. Moreover, such employees love flexibility at their workplaces. As a matter of fact, they produce far greater results for the firms that offer them flexible schedules.
How can I attract & retain Gen Z employees?
Inclusion and greater diversity are what keep Gen Z on their feet. Assigning them impactful and meaningful work that defies their mind and not only keeps them busy is how you can retain them. Lastly, you need to provide them with more frequent recognition for the work that they do to retain them.
Summing It All Up!
Gen Z is undoubtedly going to take over the workforce by storm. By bringing innovation, these candidates are perfectly capable of taking matters into their own hands. This skilled cohort of young experts has distinct expectations that are way different from the previous generations regarding their careers. By understanding what is growing workforce requires from their workplaces, employers can take several steps to foster an engaging workplace tailored to this emerging demographic. As the workforce is evolving day by day, addressing the requirements of Gen Z is a smart investment that can bring growth and innovation to any firm.