Born between 1997 and 2012 – Generation Z, or Gen Z’s are slowly taking over entry to mid-level roles. They are starting to influence work culture and slowly reshaping how we define “good job”. 

Gen Z’s now comprise 30% of the global workforce, and soon, they will dominate the workplace. That is why it is time to know how they can reshape and set new standards. If you are an employer or a manager, here’s what you need to know about them. 

Who are Gen Zs and what they need in the workplace

1. Mental health is a priority

Managers and employers need to understand that Gen Z prioritizes mental health. According to the research made by McKinsey, 82% of Gen Z workers say mental health days are important to them. Thus, they expect companies to not just talk about well-being, but invest in it. They should add it to their company policies and benefits. 

Moreover, according to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, they found that 46% of Gen Zs feel stressed or anxious all or most of the time. For managers and employers, it is recommended to normalize therapy, push for mental health days, and value psychological safety at work. 

Companies who support these are more likely to attract and retain Gen Z talents. 

2. They work to live

You read it right. Unlike boomers and millennials, Gen Z favors boundaries, flexibility, and work-life balance. In fact, according to the 2023 report made by EY, they found that 75% of Gen Z employees prefer hybrid or remote work models. And 66% of them quit when forced back to full-time office work.

Gen Zs also value outcomes over hours. They want their employers to respect their time and energy. If you are hiring Gen Z employees, might as well consider having 4-day workweeks, async schedules, and flexible set-ups to stay relevant and retain talents. 

For Gen Zs, productivity is no longer measured by visibility. Gen Zs care about what gets done, not how long it takes to finish. 

3. Inclusion is non-negotiable

Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history. Thus, they want to be part of a company that reflects and respects diversity. In fact, according to Morning Consult, 70% of Gen Zs believe that companies should take a stand on social issues. This means that Gen Zs expect transparency in hiring, safe spaces for dialogue, inclusive benefits, and real accountability. 

4. They crave purpose more than salary

Did you know that, according to LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index, 74% of Gen Zs would take a pay cut to work if they enjoy working for the company and if the company aligns with their values?

If Gen Zs feel they are meaningful and needed in the company, they become more involved in the company and give their best to it. 

5. Real-time feedback is a must

Is your company doing quarterly or annual employee performance reviews? You need to change and shift it into real-time feedback or mentorship for Gen Zs. That is because Gen Z performs better when they receive continuous real-time feedback. They are also more likely to ask for coaching and opportunities for learning. 

With this, companies need to implement a 1:1 peer review or instant recognition platform for their Gen Z employees. 

6. Career growth should be fast

Gen Zs are not afraid to job-hop. If they find that there is no career growth in the company, they can easily leave and look for a place where they are valued and offer more professional growth and fulfillment. 

With this, companies should provide transparent career journeys, learning budgets, and accelerated promotions to retain their Gen Z top talents. 

7. Gen Z’s build their own path

Side hustles, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship are very popular among Gen Zs. In fact, according to the survey made by Bankrate, 53% of Gen Zs have a side hustle. Plus, many prefer project-based or flexible gigs over the traditional 9-to-5 jobs.

They value autonomy and the freedom to explore multiple income streams. With this businesses should rethink benefits, contractor relationships, and internal innovation support. 

What should we do?

Gen Zs are part of the future. And sooner or later, they will comprise the whole workforce. With this, we need to understand their generation as they will set the standard for the new face of the workplace. 

The world is changing. The workplace is changing. The people working are changing. We can’t employ what we used to do in the past in the hope that it will work in the present and in the future. 

If you are an employer or manager, I hope these insights can help you better understand Gen Zs. On the other hand, if you are a Gen Z, hope these will give you a better understanding of who you are in the workplace and what you need to be more productive and efficient. 

If you need more tips like this, don’t forget to visit our website for more or follow us on our social media accounts. 

We also have job opportunities for Gen Zs, so check out this link to know more: https://mdmsystems.net.au/recruitment/.