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Gen Z: how does it relate to work?
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Johanna
05/08/2024
Employee experience
Gen Z: how does it relate to work?
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The world of work is changing at a breathtaking pace, and Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is playing a key role in this transformation. And with good reason: these young people are entering the job market en masse, and will represent 27% of the workforce by 2025(1).
Gen Z is regularly portrayed as the generation that is turning office and work codes upside down. "They don't want to come into the office anymore", "they defy the hierarchy", "they only work if they feel like it"... There are countless clichés circulating about this generation.
There's some truth in this, because Gen Z has new expectations, which we need to take seriously to attract, engage and retain. But far from being prejudiced, it is above all at the forefront of a more flexible way of working.
This much sought-after flexibility is particularly evident in our relationship with the workspace. 71% of 18-24 year-olds say they will look for other opportunities if they are forced to return to the office full-time at some point(2). A new and challenging vision of the workplace, which we help you to decipher in this article.
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Gen Z: where do these new expectations come from?
Born with a smartphone in their hands
Gen Z has grown up in an environment profoundly influenced by technology. From an early age, this generation has been exposed to smartphones, social networks and a multitude of connected devices. This immersion in the digital world has not only influenced the way they communicate and learn, but also the way they work. For members of Gen Z, whose jobs are mostly done from behind a computer, working from anywhere is natural and obvious.
Working, yes, but for what?
84% of young people say they enjoy working, and consider it crucial to their professional success(3). That's a long way from the cliché of the lazy young person, isn't it? They are looking for meaningful work, and want their jobs to reflect their personal values. 74% of 18-28 year-olds say it's important or essential that the company's values are in line with their own(3).
Here, it's important to stress that the company's vision and culture must be carefully crafted and transparently communicated, so that Gen Z can identify with it. We've already given you some ideas for building a committed work team.
Working to preserve, transform and grow (not destroy)
Sensitive to environmental and social issues, these young people are also looking for committed, ethical companies that value practices that protect the planet and promote collective action. They want their day-to-day contribution to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Gen Z's workspace preferences
Gen Z definitely has a new way of looking at work, and it's reflected in their relationship with the office.
The office: they still love it, but not like before
Despite their affinity for digital technology, Gen Z recognizes the importance of social interaction and face-to-face collaboration. For them, the office should be a space for connection and creativity. They come to the office for specific purposes around bonding, and to nurture their sense of belonging. Critics notwithstanding, 75% of the under-35s still like to come and work face-to-face(4) - and bang!
What's more, they have specific expectations when it comes to office design. Gone are the days of cold, impersonal, purely functional offices. Today's young people are looking for designer offices that offer flex offices, relaxation areas, coworking zones and even nap areas. Just like the new Brut media offices, which reflect the company's vision, mission and values, and meet every need of its (young) employees.
Telecommuting, the embodiment of much sought-after flexibility!
Ah, telecommuting, the working method so popular with young professionals! Working from home offers many advantages: time savings, work-life balance, stress reduction... However, not everything is rosy in the land of the home office. Isolation can take its toll on morale, and the line between personal and professional life can become blurred. So, in the face of this ambivalence, the important thing is to be able to choose: office or telecommuting.
Indeed, employees (and not just Gen Z) appreciate and value the freedom to choose where and when they work. By giving them latitude over these choices, their commitment is strengthened. For managers, this flexibility is an essential way of adding social value to their organization(5).
Workation, the joker card for productivity, creativity and commitment
The workation concept, which combines work and vacation, is increasingly appealing to Gen Z. They are attracted by innovative, fun and dynamic work experiences that give them a change of scenery while remaining productive and connected to the company.
Understanding and addressing these expectations, a lever for employee commitment
As you've probably guessed, Gen Z is a very common-sense group in terms of how it feels to be in the office and how it works. So, to keep them engaged, it's crucial to meet their expectations. The involvement of this generation is essential to changing professional norms, making the world of work more flexible, inclusive and innovative. Thanks to their adaptability and quest for balance, these young people are contributing to a more harmonious professional future for all generations. Far from the clichés of the rebellious, cheating, lazy generation, Gen Z is a laboratory of innovation, thanks to which you could well reinvent the way you work, for the better... and for everyone!
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<font size="-1">Nos sources</font>
<font size="-1">(1) OECD, 2021. Employment Outlook</font>
<font size="-1">(2) ADP Research Institute, 2022. People at Work 2022: A Global Workforce View (p.25)</font>
<font size="-1">(3) IPSOS pour CESI, 2024. Quel rapport la Gen Z entretient-elle avec l’entreprise ? (p.14)</font>
<font size="-1">(4) Baromètre CSA - Parella 2022</font>
<font size="-1">(5) Cushman & Wakefield, 2023. What occupiers want (p. 9)</font>
