One might think that Gen Z’s commitment to a work-life balance has begun to waver in light of the shifting job market, however, it appears the workers are committed to prioritizing well-being despite it all. With hustle culture making a comeback and reports of businesses like Amazon conducting mass layoffs as an ode to company culture, it’s easy to picture young workers succumbing to the pressures of work. Instead, Gen Z employees appear just as determined as ever to assert their freedom and operate on their own terms.
Despite the layoffs and the disruption to the job market, Gen Z appears committed to prioritizing their work-life balance. (Image: Pexels)
Gen Z’s Work-Life Balance Continues to Shape Their Work Priorities
Over the years, millennials and Gen Z have looked for opportunities to put their well-being and mental health first, drawing clear lines at work over boundaries they aren’t willing to negotiate. A recent survey from Deloitte made it all the more apparent, revealing that 54% of Gen Z workers would put their work-life balance over salary. Offering workers decent pay to take care of their well-being on their own time may be a strategy that has worked in the past, but it’s less effective today.
Before, aspects like promotions could be used to tempt workers into putting their heads down and conforming to the needs of the organization. For some, the promise of a higher title was enough to make the leadership role worth pursuing. For others, the perks that came with such roles were the primary motivating factor.
In comparison, in the present day, many Gen Zers are no longer seeking out managerial positions to lead their colleagues. A study from the consulting giant also revealed that only 6% of Gen Z felt their primary career goal was to reach a leadership position. Learning and development could be motivators, but the title was not enough to tempt them into compromising on their work-life balance.
What Happens When Gen Z’s Attempts at Redefining Their Work and Life Are Ignored?
Gen Z’s commitment to securing a work-life balance can be inconvenient for businesses to pay heed to, which results in many organizations suppressing these demands in the hope that the other benefits will be sufficient to distract them. Unfortunately, considering the growing evidence of Gen Z’s pursuit of balance despite the layoffs, they are unlikely to commit to the organization beyond the essential levels needed to secure their employment.
From their use of casual language in the workplace to the now well-known “Gen Z” stare, many of these workers remain unmoved by the way they are perceived within the workplace. Despite accusations of being overly sensitive and emotional, Gen Z workers appear to have a clear idea of how to guarantee their own well-being at work, and they stick to their own script.
With the lack of mentorship to guide them on a better way to make their dissatisfaction felt, many Gen Z workers give into sly trends like “quiet vacationing” and “coffee badging” in order to go back to operating on their own terms.
What Are the Terms of Gen Z’s Work-Life Balance Goals?
Unfortunately, there is no single strategy that can act as an all-encompassing resolution to Gen Z’s workplace woes. Some remain in pursuit of flexibility and hybrid work, while others want employers to provide benefits that allow them to take breaks from work, whether for mental health days or a yearly vacation. Well-being and a steady work-life balance can take on many forms, but at the heart of the matter, the generation appears to have a keen desire for separate personal and professional lives that don’t overlap.
The trend of microshifting has gained popularity in recent weeks, with employees, particularly Gen Z, in favor of working with multiple breaks rather than at a stretch. This does suggest that the work isn’t the problem, but the current terms of operation. We also have reports to suggest that workers aren’t necessarily using their PTO days and going on vacation, which further adds some roadblocks to well-being that are best avoided.
Gen Z’s Emphasis on a Healthy Work-Life Balance Does Not Imply They Are Reluctant to Work
Gen Z’s commitment to their work-life may appear to be a reticent attitude towards the prospect of employment overall, but that is not the case. When asked about the reasons for prioritizing a work-life balance, one young worker told The HR Digest, “I need a life to come back home to. I know my income isn’t setting me up for a life of luxury. So I intend to work hard and hope for the best, but I don’t want to completely abandon my personal life when there are no guarantees of jobs or benefits in the future.”
Many workers are willing to adjust to hybrid work or take on reverse mentorship roles to better ingratiate themselves with their colleagues. They are also opening themselves up to new opportunities at work. While these Gen Z workers are unwilling to overwork themselves or go above and beyond their pay grade for a demanding task, they appear committed to building successful, fulfilling careers.
Using this to the advantage of your business by providing them with some guarantees on terms of their well-being may just be the way to make sure these workers remain committed to their jobs for the long haul.
What do you think about Gen Z’s focus on a healthy work-life balance? Let us know what you think. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.