Reflecting a sign of the times, a huge chunk of Gen Z workers is prioritizing work-life balance over other job perks, a new survey shows.

                By                    Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy

“It’s imperative that companies understand the unique needs of this group and build cultures that cater to them,” Hunter said.

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“The pandemic gave employees a true taste of the flexibility that comes with remote work, and understandably, they’re not keen on returning to the office,” Grossman said. “It’s important to keep in mind: For some Gen Z, their entry into the world of work was during the pandemic. These individuals are fully acclimated to a remote setting, and the concept of working in an office is altogether alien.”

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“Gen Z has grown up amidst a lot of economic insecurity, both with the pandemic, and for those who remember, the 2008 recession. I think this insecurity has painted an up-close picture of what job stress and money stress looks like, so it makes sense Gen Z prioritizes their personal lives and time off when it comes to picking a job,” Leidy said.

Adzuna’s Hunter noted that while salary has taken a bit of a backseat to other benefits in some cases, money is still very important to Gen Z.

“They want to work in roles that they are passionate about and be compensated fairly. At the same time, they have a desire to feel connected to their organizations. What this means for businesses is that they must be transparent in salary offerings, and vocal about their benefits and how they create a positive work culture,” he said.

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Hunter recommends that if a candidate is considering whether or not a role is a fit, they should ask direct questions about how the company defines and promotes its culture, the involvement of leadership and the perks offered.

“These are a good way to get a temperature check to decide if a role is right or if someone should continue their search,” he added.

In addition, the recognition and emphasis on the importance of mental health in the workplace is also a factor and a drastic change from older generations.

“Gen Zers (saw) unhappy workers growing up, so their minds were set not to overwork anymore,” Craig Miller, co-Founder of Academia Labs, said. “Another thing that changed drastically is the better acceptance of taking care of mental health. Nowadays, people value peace and happiness more than anything else. Intense pressure coming from your job is no longer healthy and a source of inspiration, so Gen Zers choose to have a balance on work and life.”

Finally, the survey notes that additional priorities include good management and company values, with 9.7%; high-quality healthcare, with 7.1%; and performance bonuses, with 5.5%.

Last updated: Sept. 15, 2021