Gen Z Employees Expect More Than a Paycheque
The working world has changed – and not just because of AI, COVID-19 or remote work. The change has been driven by the workforce, with Gen Z employees demanding more from their employers across every global issue from diversity to equity, inclusion to belonging (DEIB), ESG, social causes - and beyond.
“Amidst the growing digitisation of work and the workforce, ManpowerGroup’s 2023 Workforce Trends Report reveals that although technology may be the great enabler, humans remain the catalyst to the future – and we’re calling it ‘The New Human Age’, says Lyndy van den Barselaar, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup South Africa. “AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can help employees work smarter and remove repetitive tasks to allow human creativity and problem-solving to run free, but the technology is (currently) still not able to perform the latter tasks. The New Human Age is a time when people – established in their careers or just starting out - are utilising technology and digital tools to enhance human connections, be more productive and live more meaningful lives”.
What’s important to Gen Z?
Understanding how the next generation of employees – who would probably baulk at the term – means understanding the next generation of people. A global Nielsen study discovered that Generation Z (the generation born 1995-2010) are surprisingly traditional regarding their aspirations, entertainment pursuits and media consumption. 21% of Generation Z respondents considered buying a house, and 19% considered having a baby amongst their top three aspirations for the future. Over 37% of Generation Z respondents picked listening to music as one of their top spare-time activities, ahead of reading (27%).
They are true digital natives, having been exposed to the internet, social networks and mobile technology from a young age. With access to vast amounts of information, they are more pragmatic and analytical in their decision-making than any previous generation. This generation of ‘self-learners’ is also more comfortable learning online from trusted sources than at traditional learning institutions.
Gen Z in the Workplace
"What this generational shift in employees means in the workplace is that employers must work proactively to meet them in areas which are important to them to incorporate, develop and retain them. Organisations need to have a clear and genuine purpose if they want to attract, develop and retain Gen Z talent, as this generation will make up 27% of the workforce by 2025," says van den Barselaar.
In our survey, 52% of Gen Z employees say companies are not doing enough to protect the environment. Since 68% of Gen Z workers are not satisfied with their organization’s progress in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and 56% would not accept a role without diverse leadership, employers need to demonstrate their social and environmental impact with a more science-based approach. “They need to focus on creating ‘net positive employment’ – broadening diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, increasing individual employability and giving workers greater control of their prosperity so they can feel confident they have the skills for today - and for the future,” says van den Barselaar.
Work is now give-and-take
The pandemic made flexible work a reality for many employees, causing a paradigm shift in how people balance their work and personal lives. 88% say the pandemic affected what they want from their job vs. 65% of workers age 55+. They want more choices about when, where and how they do their jobs, without work-from-home becoming endless work. And they value things like personal fulfilment, learning and growth over simple career advancement.
“The reality is that employers need to be more flexible, transparent and engaged than ever before to speak to the new generation of employees in more meaningful ways,” says van den Barselaar. “The shift required is enormous, but embracing all of these aspects can only have a net positive impact on the company, its clients, its employees – and the world in which it operates”.
Website: https://www.manpower.co.za/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manpower-sa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManpowerSAJobs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManpowerSAJobs
Press Contact
Lesley O’Connor
Indigo Blue Communications
+27 (0)82 455 6839