Jill Cotton
Career Trends Expert, Glassdoor
Gen Z will be the workforce of the future, and they are demanding more from their employers.
Young adults are making their voices heard. What older generations wanted from employers won’t cut it with Gen Z workers. We’ve seen alternatives to the traditional 9–5, in-office model are possible. With job vacancies still at a record high, young employees have the power to be choosier and demand a workplace that meets their new expectations.
Compensation is king, but Gen Z will only stay if values align
Like every other age group, salary is the number one consideration of young job hunters. However, Gen Z also wants transparency when it comes to pay. Research by Glassdoor found that 65% of young adults would be more likely to apply for a job with a pay range included in the listing. The group also sees salary transparency as a key indicator that a company has long-term potential for them as an employee.
To retain Gen Z employers must think beyond attractive salaries. The culture and values of a company, the strength of senior leadership and access to learning and development opportunities become the key drivers of employee satisfaction.
Lack of industry experience is the biggest blocker Gen Z faces. When recruiting, companies should push themselves to consider different work experiences and embrace transferable skills in candidates to broaden their talent pools and stand apart from competitors.
The culture and values of a company, the strength of senior leadership and access to learning and development opportunities become the key drivers of employee satisfaction.
Retaining Gen Z employees
Gen Z wants a culture of belonging in the workplace and is actively choosing employers that align with their personal values. Work-life balance and flexibility are also valued, alongside the ability to make connections with coworkers and be part of a workplace community.
Ways to invest in your employees
A company’s approach to mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion policies is more important to this age group than any other, and over a third of Gen Z-ers (35%) want to be treated fairly for their work.
Investment in mentorship and upskilling is crucial for young people to develop their careers. Employers operating hybrid or remote environments need to work especially hard to implement these initiatives successfully, but a loyal workforce will be the reward as satisfied workers stay longer. Gen Z may have different expectations from their employers, but what they are demanding is fair: clear career opportunities, a transparent company mission, being trusted and a community they are proud to belong to. Meet these needs to attract the workforce of the future.