Gen Z claims to be hard working, seeks flexi schedule: Survey

The newest segment of the workforce, Gen Z claims to be the hardest-working generation, but want flexible schedules to stay longer in a company, according to a survey. Almost two-fifths (36 per cent) of Gen Zers believe they 'had it the hardest' when entering the working world compared to all other generations before it, according to survey by the Workforce Institute at Kronos Incorporated.

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

More than half (56 per cent) say the Silent Generation is the least hardworking generation of all time. The Silent Generation (75-94 years), who generally began entering the workforce during or just after World War II. The survey is based on a global research done on behalf of the Workforce Institute at Kronos and Future Workplace in 12 countries, including India workplaces across Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, and US, April 923, 2019 among 3,400 respondents.

"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 behaviour traits and preferences to engage them at the workplace and by extension drive productivity," Kronos, India, country manager James Thomas said. Despite record-high enrollment, less than half of Gen Z credits their high school (39 per cent) or college (42 per cent) education for preparing them to enter the working world, the survey revealed.

One in four Gen Zers say they are least prepared to handle negotiating (26 per cent), networking (24 per cent), speaking confidently in front of crowds (24 per cent) and resolving work conflict (23 per cent), it added. Conversely, Gen Z feels well-equipped to handle working in a team (57 per cent), hitting project deadlines (57 per cent) and working with customers (56 per cent).

However, Gen Z isn't prepared to be managed by another person (21 per cent), although nearly one-third (32 per cent) said they would be motivated to work harder and stay longer at a company if they have a supportive manager. It also found that despite being digital natives, three out of four Gen Zers (75 per cent) prefer to receive manager feedback in person and 39 per cent prefer to communicate with their team or employer in person.

Further, the survey revealed that 56 per cent of Gen Z are optimistic about their professional future, led by India where 44 per cent of 16-25-year-olds are 'extremely optimistic', followed closely by US Gen Zers at 31 per cent. However, Gen Zers who are employed today are the least optimistic with half of those who are currently serving in an internship and 28 per cent of those working full-time are only 'moderately' optimistic about their professional future.

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 per cent), lack of motivation or drive (20 per cent) and low self-esteem (17 per cent), it said..