What does Gen Z want from the world of work?

Often accused by old-school entrepreneurs of being a generation of 'dummies', between psychologist bonuses and seasonal depressions, Gen Z is actually the result of an increasingly frenetic, competitive society, far removed from the natural rhythms proper to human beings. Today's young people are trying to build a life for themselves in a world on the verge of collapse in a movement of care for the environment and inclusion, attempting to create a break with the patterns of the past, even and especially in the world of work. A recent survey conducted by Hilton among Millennials (26-41 years old) and Gen Z (18-25 years old), revealed what the new generations are really looking for in a working environment: flexibility, opportunities to travel, the chance to contribute to the realisation of targeted projects. What emerges is the importance of meeting new people, gaining experience in different roles and finding a work-life balance, in companies with strong policies on social and environmental issues.

Despite the fact that society has rapidly returned to pre-pandemic rhythms as if nothing had happened, the work choices of Gen Z and Millennials take into account a three-year period of closure, isolation and anxiety about the future. Respondents believe that human connection is increasingly valuable in a post-pandemic world, with 88% appreciating social interaction in the workplace. 87% of 18-41 year olds consider mental health and well-being policies to be an important aspect, and 18% also revealed that they had thought about changing jobs in the last year due to concerns about their health and mental well-being. The most important benefits of a new job are flexible hours or the ability to manage one's own time (61%), followed by a strong sense of teamwork in the workplace (41%). Nothing like the workaholic culture we grew up with, where staying up late examining documents was a source of pride, today 72% of Italians say it is the opportunity to travel for work that is one of the most important aspects when choosing a career.  

Companies with a clear focus on sustainable development are the most popular, while issues such as diversity and inclusion are more important to younger people (37%) than to millennials (26%). There is a generational divide as to what people value when it comes to careers, with Gen Z almost twice as likely (22%) as Millennials (13%) to consider international travel opportunities relevant when choosing a job, preferring creative activities and relatively new jobs, such as content creator (17%) or marketing specialist (18%), to traditional jobs, such as builder (5%) or pilot (8%). Creativity, more human rhythms, a healthy environment in which to spend their time while respecting others, the ideal job for Gen Z resembles the society that young people, perhaps utopically, hope to create.