GenZ at Work: Redefining Professionalism, Priorities, and the Future of Workplaces

Generation Z or GenZ is a term commonly used for those born between 1997 and 2012.

Studies have highlighted the shift in workplaces further, showing how priorities, especially what motivates people to work in the first place are changing significantly. Millennials, the generation preceding GenZ, were the first to speak up about work-life balance and inclusivity, but Gen Z is pushing these conversations to new levels.

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HerZindagi spoke to different age groups, to do a deep dive into how changing attitudes and priorities are shaping present-day workplaces.

Job Satisfaction, Work-life Balance More Important Than Money

Earlier generations prioritised pay scales to a great extent while picking jobs, but that is changing significantly.

A study by UnStop called GenZ at Workplace found that a whopping 72% of Gen Zs believe job satisfaction is a bigger deal than salary.

They also found that 47% of Gen Zs prioritize work-life balance when deciding on their desirable companies.

Meghna Bhadra, a 23-year-old graphic designer, ranked work environment and work-life balance above the money factor. “Without the first two in place, I don’t see myself finding the motivation to work with full commitment. Having peace of mind is important for me to function well at my workplace,” she said.

Millennials acknowledge this shift changing the work scenario. Soujanya Das, a PR Professional said, “What really stands out from GenZ is their commitment to work-life balance and mental health. They're unapologetic about setting boundaries between their personal and professional lives, which is actually a really healthy reminder for the rest of us.”

However, this unapologetic stance on boundaries can sometimes even lead to dissatisfaction or conflicts.

“This approach can sometimes be misinterpreted as a lack of accountability - especially when deadlines are looming. But I think open communication and empathy can go a long way in navigating these situations,” added Soujanya.

Trisrota Dutta, a 30-year-old working in the public policy field added that their attitudes sometimes can be individualistic, overlooking what the team collectively needs.

“While their improved methods of boundary-setting can lead to improved mental health and reduced burnout, it may sometimes strain interpersonal relationships within teams. For instance, I have noted GenZ colleagues not being flexible with their time and availability even when a key deadline requires extra hours. In such situations, the workload falls on the rest of the team which has a negative impact on team dynamics. To foster effective collaboration, it's crucial to find a balance between respecting individual boundaries and accommodating occasional flexibility to meet team goals,” she said.

On the mental health front, there is a conflict in how HR professionals view the topic vs how GenZ perceives it. The study by UnStop found that 27% of HR leaders believe supporting mental health isn’t the company’s responsibility. On the other hand, 86% of Gen Zs surveyed said they expect some form of mental health support from workplaces, in the form of subsidised counselling or mental health days.

Tech-Savvy Innovators with a Fresh Perspective

Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age. All millennials we spoke to, agreed that GenZ brings a lot of fresh perspectives to the table, especially on the technology front.

A study by Google found that 93% of Gen Z respondents, aged 22 - 27, said they were using two or more AI tools a week — such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, Otter.ai, and other generative AI products.

"The future of work is here—and it's AI-powered," Yulie Kwon Kim, VP of Product, Google Workspace stated in the report. "Rising leaders are not only advocating for AI—they're deploying this technology in meaningful ways, from improving communication with colleagues to freeing up time for strategic work."

Another study by Simplilearn, a global online boot camp for digital skills, found that 83% of GenZ are actively engaging in upskilling to secure better job prospects.

Trisrota said, “Their innovative ideas and tech-savvy approach bring a new PoV to our projects. For example, their ability to use AI to increase efficiency, or their ability to confidently ask/raise relevant questions about the task given to them help them and their peers engage better with the assignment/their work.”

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27-year-old Sanjana Priyaranjan is one of the oldest of GenZs, often shuffling between which side she identifies most with in terms of work ethics. What she finds interesting are the sources of knowledge for GenZs. “I think GenZs try to go beyond booking text and don't have a desperation to prove their point by bringing textbook knowledge. They also rely on modern sources of information rather don't limit themselves - books, movies, music, podcasts and so on,” she highlighted.

Conflicting Views on Professionalism and Ethics

Ethics and professionalism at workplaces seem to be where the conflicts really stem from.

A tweet about a GenZ colleague getting their leave approved in a curt way went viral, sparking debate on GenZ’s notions of professionalism. Comments show how varied thinking is around leaves and seeking permission for them.

how my gen z team gets its leaves approved pic.twitter.com/RzmsSZs3ol

— Siddharth Shah (@siddharthshahx) November 5, 2024

Content creator Pranav Mathur used the opportunity to make a reel which explains the crux of the debate, and the differences in approach aptly. He highlighted how previous generations are almost apologetic about taking leaves, reserving them for important occasions. Even while applying, they promise to be available. On the other hand, GenZ seems to have a more casual, direct approach.

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A post shared by Pranav Mathur (@thepranavmathur)

On one hand, Meghna, a GenZ highlights how in her experience she has had unwarranted comments passed at workplaces that don’t sit quite well with her. “Older generations sometimes don’t understand inclusivity, and politeness and can even be blatantly problematic at times. She had heard a senior once to say to another colleague, ‘So what if you have severe PCOD? Everyone does.’, which she found highly problematic,” she recalled.

She added, “They also sometimes think that their age justifies their thoughts and experiences. Sometimes they try to talk in GenZ jargon mockingly, maybe to appear cool or fit in, which can be annoying or nonsensical altogether.”

Another instance of a viral post sparking the same conversation was a GenZ colleague being direct with their communication that they’d come in late the next day for having worked overtime the previous day.

I can’t believe my junior sent me this. Today’s kids are something else. He stayed late, so now he’s going to show up late to the office to "make up" for it. What a move!🫡🫡 i am speechless mahn. pic.twitter.com/iNf629DLwq

— Adv. Ayushi Doshi (@AyushiiDoshiii) November 12, 2024

Sanjana argued that taking professionalism lightly may sometimes exaggerate situations that didn’t require escalation. “I think they can often take the concepts of professionalism very lightly. Subtlety in professional settings is sometimes required, and may sometimes be something GenZ doesn’t agree with. Everything needing to be addressed can lead to unnecessary and unwanted commotion over something rather insignificant at times,” she said.

With time, GenZ is slowly taking up leadership roles, as their numbers in the workplace steadily grow. Their entry may spark the beginning of a transformative era for offices, but the adaptability and empathy of all generations will be key to finding balance and harmony in the workplace. The future of work is here, and it’s likely going to be more inclusive, boundary-conscious, and ever-evolving.