Generation Z’s top job demands – flexible hours, birthdays off and plant-based milk, survey shows

Forget a pension or a company car: Gen Z’s top job demands include flexible hours, birthdays off work and plant-based milks for coffee, a new survey has revealed.

Access to a life coach, free Friday afternoons and the ability to bring a dog to work are also high on the priority list for young employees, the survey of 2,000 British workers aged 18-29 showed.

Modern Brits are now also focusing on the ability to work from home and consider a relaxed dress code a must.

Linda Blank, COO of Feedr, which conducted the research, said: “There has been a lot of negativity around Gen Z job expectations, however they are the workforce of the future and it is important to understand what matters to them. “.

“Research shows that young people want to feel supported, valued and respected in the workplace by employers who understand the benefits they want and value, from nutritious food to access to mental health support.”

The top five things Gen Z looks for in a job are flexible hours (45 percent), having their birthday off work (39 percent), a good coffee machine (28 percent), working from home at least two times a week (27 percent) and a gym membership (26 percent).

Other priorities included being able to shower after cycling to the office, which 13 percent said was important, and nine percent said taking their dog to the office was a must.

Fifteen percent of the wishes of Generation Z every Friday afternoon off and one in five said a relaxed dress code is a must.

Food is a top priority for 18-29 year olds, with 50% expecting dedicated eating areas and 30% saying team lunches and dinners are important, while 27% want cakes and treats, according to research conducted by office catering and delivery company, Feedr.

One in three (30 percent) admit that lunch is the highlight of their workday, and 85 percent say it’s important for them to have access to healthy meals at work.

And the humble office sandwich has been replaced by curry (29 percent), stuffed pita bread (18 percent), Greek salad (16 percent) and poke bowls (14 percent).

A quarter (25 percent) would like staff to eat lunch together, while one in four (25 percent) would like to eat outdoors in the summer.

Mental health and well-being are also an important factor, with access to a life coach or psychotherapist a priority for 15 per cent, a professional mentor crucial for 9 per cent, complementary yoga sessions for 7 per cent and a important meditation room for the five percent.

Overall, two-thirds (64 percent) of young people believe that a happy and “zen” work environment is more important than a huge salary, and more than half (57 percent) say better nutrition and benefits Mental health are more important than old school perks. such as laptops, company cars and pension plans.

Six in ten (61 percent) agree that today’s workers have different benefit expectations than previous generations, and one in two (53 percent) agree that young people can be unfairly judged for have high standards when it comes to their work and work environment. .

Nine in ten (91 percent) believe that employers need to be more creative in terms of the work environment and the benefits they offer if they want to keep people happy in the modern age.

And more than a third (37 percent) admit that their parents or seniors don’t take them seriously when they express a desire for certain benefits or standards in a workplace.

Ms. Blank added, “Listening to employees and reacting to their needs can go a long way toward attracting and retaining top talent and supporting a great employee experience.”