Gen Z self-proclaim as the hardest-working workforce, and would work harder and stay longer at a company that supports flexible schedules

One-third (32 percent) of Gen Z professionals believe they are the hardest-working generation ever, with millennials ranked as the second-hardest working generation at 25 percent in a Kronos Incorporated global survey of the newest segment of the workforce. 

The survey examines attitudes of Gen Z in workplaces across the globe, including how their education has prepared them for the working world, and their views on how to be an employer of choice for the next generation. 

Gen Z demand schedule flexibility to deliver their best work 

While Gen Zers believe they are hardworking, one in four (26 percent) admit they would work harder and stay longer at a company that supports flexible schedules, with flexibility desired most. Gen Z’s appeal for flexibility comes with a few actions they would never tolerate from their employer, including being forced to work when they don’t want to (35 percent); inability to use annual leave days when they want to (34 percent); and working back-to-back shifts (30 percent). 

Mind the “Preparation Gap”: Gen Z outlines what school did – and did not – prepare them for, as these digital natives crave face-to-face interaction.

Despite record-high enrolment, less than half of Gen Z credits their high school (39 percent) or college (42 percent) education for preparing them to enter the working world. Millennials say they are least prepared to handle negotiating (26 percent); networking (24 percent); speaking confidently in front of crowds (24 percent), and resolving work conflict (23 percent). 

Gen Z also isn’t prepared to be managed by another person (21 percent), although nearly one-third (32 percent) say they would be motivated to work harder and stay longer at a company if they have a supportive manager. Despite being digital natives, three out of four millennials (75 percent) prefer to receive manager feedback in person, and 39 percent prefer to communicate with their team or employer in person.  

Gen Z is optimistic, yet anxious, about their careers

Across the globe, more than half (56 percent) of Gen Z is optimistic about their professional future, led by India where an incredible 44 percent of 16 to 25-year-olds are “extremely optimistic”. The overall optimism of Gen Z is met with many emotional barriers this generation feels it must overcome to achieve workplace success, including anxiety (34 percent), lack of motivation/drive (20 percent), and low self-esteem (17 percent). Anxiety, specifically, is a greater concern among female Gen Zers 39 percent compared to 29 percent for male. 

About one-third of Gen Z measures their success based on how respected they are by their co-workers (34 percent) and the recognition they receive from their manager (32 percent). However, traditional benchmarks still matter, with salary (44 percent) and advancement (35 percent) reigning supreme.

James Thomas, country manager, India, Kronos said, “With more Gen Z employees entering the workforce, employers need to reassess their hiring and retention strategies. The expectations of this new generation of workers are far different from their predecessors. The Gen Z workers are more tech-savvy and they seek more flexibility and freedom in their workplace. Therefore, as employers, we need to be cognizant of this generation’s behavior traits and preferences to successfully engage them at the workplace and by extension drive productivity.”