New Study Highlights Generational Divide in Employee Expectations

David Joosten, President and CEO of Vodafone Business Inc.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have been reckoning with the new way - not only where, but when and in what way- of how their employees want to work and be productive. At the top of the list is the employee experience and how to position themselves to be ready for tomorrow’s workplace. Working with the London School of Economics, Vodafone Business commissioned its “Fit for the Future Report,” surveying 2,526 companies, including 300 in the United States, to identify how they are managing their organizations in light of these technological and social changes impacting the workplace, preparing themselves to be “fit for the future.”

Surprisingly, the survey shows a stark generational divide in employee expectations, led by Generation Z. As the newest addition to the workforce, many Gen Z-ers started their careers during the pandemic and have yet to accumulate years of work experience to understand just how unique and unprecedented the last two years have been. Still, Gen Zers were most vocal in their desire for work flexibility and technological opportunities.

Greater flexibility in where we work

Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents expect greater flexibility in where they choose to work, compared to 47% of Millennials and 32% of the Boomer generation. Over the past two years, unprecedented levels of flexibility in when, where, and how we work became the norm as companies adjusted their business models to accommodate remote and hybrid work. In fact, 89% of ‘Fit for the Future’ businesses had established digital transformation roadmaps tha included increased connectivity for their employees to excel in an all-remote work setting.

Gaining more autonomy in recent years, employees see great value in being able to choose where they work and the majority of Gen Z expect this to continue throughout their careers.

Boundaries and limitations around working hours

The pandemic didn’t just change people’s views of where they choose to work, but when. Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents expect boundaries and limitations around working hours, in contrast to 44% of Millennials and only 26% of Gen X. Older generations are fairly used to working extensive hours a day to complete projects and meet deadlines, understanding the career advancement opportunities often associated with overextending yourself. Gen Z, however, places more value on personal growth and wants to be free to create their own work style and not just adopt the one laid out by previous generations. The remote work model, therefore, allows Gen Z to easily navigate between their personal and work lives without the time constraints typically associated with in-person work.

Opportunities to work with the latest technologies and innovations

Older generations, likely more well established in their careers, work styles and practices, are likely fine with the current technologies in place. However, 68% of Gen Z surveyed expect that they will be given the opportunity to work with the newest technologies and innovations - only 40% of Millennials and 38% of Gen X share this desire. The programs and software prior generations see as assets to their careers often differ from Gen Z, who grew up in the digital age and see greater potential for technology’s continued advancements. Fortunately, 90% of ‘Fit for the Future’ businesses are willing to equip employees with the latest technologies to encourage growth and efficient collaboration across teams.

Preparing for future talent

The generational divide in employee expectations is an interesting conversation. Gen X and Millennials, more advanced in their careers, built many of their core workplace habits and practices in a pre-pandemic, office-centric environment. Gen Z, for the most part, is only just joining the workforce, at a time where significant shifts in the traditional work model have fundamentally changed the employee experience. This includes everything from training and learning and development to less formal experiences such as water-cooler conversations, impromptu brainstorms, and even company get-togethers. Yet because they are unbound by these prior experiences, they could be best positioned to take full advantage of the new normal they’ve been presented with.

Gen Z is using this new normal to voice their expectations for how they envision their careers both now and in the future. They can build upon the changes brought on by the pandemic to reshape the workplace experience and design careers that best fit their lives. Companies looking to tap into this generation to recruit talent for the next wave of innovation and growth would do well to take notice.

For additional findings on the role employee experience and expectation will play in charting the success and growth - including a new assessment tool for measuring your own future - check out, Vodafone Business’ Fit for the Future Report here