Salary, flexibility rank highest among global gen Z employees: survey

More than half (54 per cent) of global generation Z employees ranked pay as the most important consideration when applying for their first full-time job, according to a new survey by the Workforce Institute at Kronos Inc. and Future Workplace.

The survey, which polled 3,400 gen Zers in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S., also found they value good managers, interesting work and flexibility.

“No matter how successful an employer is in developing and motivating their workforce, working at the same company for your entire career is conceptually a thing of the past,” said Joyce Maroney, executive director of the Workforce Institute at Kronos, in a press release.

Read: Gen Z expects fast promotions, diversity and inclusion initiatives: study

“Gen Z is just starting out professionally and feel they have much to gain from testing the waters at multiple companies and different industries. . . . By creating a working culture where employees feel supported, inspired and equally empowered to enjoy life in and outside of work, employers can encourage their best people to ‘boomerang’ back or otherwise create brand ambassadors for the future.”

The survey also found gen Zers want a consistent and predictable schedule (21 per cent) but also expect employers to allow them to flexibility (23 per cent). In order to do their best work, survey respondents said they need direct and constructive performance feedback (50 per cent), hands-on training (44 per cent), managers who listen and value their opinions (44 per cent) and the opportunity to work independently (39 per cent).

Read: Generation Z wants supportive managers, flexible work hours: survey