Gone are the days where all employees want from a job is a steady paycheck. Especially with new working conditions becoming more and more prevalent, Gen Z is expecting more out of their employers. These expectations include sustainability, D,E, &I initiatives, belonging, flexibility, etc. With Gen Z making up about 27% of the workforce by 2025, employers need to start digging deep into what Gen Z will expect in the future.
Sustainability
Open Sourced Workplace defines sustainability as having established the goal of balancing the planet, people, and profit to produce success and viability in the long-term. What this means is a business will be regarded as unsustainable if it fails to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of their most cherished asset-employees. What does this mean to the Gen Z employees? Gen Z employees want to know that their employer cares about their well being. An example of this would be the company providing both medical and financial benefits. It is also a plus in the Gen Z eyes if the company contributes to the community through charities and allows time off for employees to do the same. This makes employees feel appreciated and valued.
D, E, & I Initiatives
DE&I stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Gen Z prefers to work in a Diverse and Inclusive environment. This topic is very important to the Gen Z employee and has been brought to the attention of many employers in recent years. Many employers have already implemented DE&I measures in order to make sure their workplace is welcoming to everyone.
Belonging
Belonging is one of the most important expectations of Gen Z employees. They want to feel as though they are making a difference and important to the company. One of the best ways to ensure that employees feel as though they belong is to ensure employees have a great on boarding experience. It does not take long to create a bad first impression, and it is hard for a company to reverse it. When an employee has a good on-boarding experience, they are excited to start working for the company. They are more likely to stay with the company longer than someone with a bad on-boarding experience. Furthermore, a tactic to implement into your company's on-boarding program is to assign mentors to new employees. This way, new employees can get to know someone already in the company and feel as though they are part of a team when they start.
Flexibility
Flexibility is another huge topic for Gen Z employees. Covid-19 has forever changed the way we work, and now, it has become an expectation of many Gen Z employees that they will be able to work from home. However, not only do they expect to be able to work from home, but they also expect to be given flexible hours. No longer do we have the regular 9-5 work days, but now you can see employees working on weekends or nights around their busy schedules. By providing employees with flexibility, you will see that they have a better impression of your company, which leads to greater retention.
It is hard for companies to except this new way of thinking about how work is done. Gen Z employees are different than any employees before them. They are going to change the way we think of work and company culture.
endevis has evolved into a national talent & workforce solutions provider with offices throughout the nation. With a focus on healthcare, engineering, and IT staffing, the organization has won a handful of awards across its Professional Direct Placement, Professional Contract Staffing, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing Solutions. For more information, please email ROI@endevis.com.