Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.
Young people want flexibility, purpose-driven work, and entrepreneurial opportunities rather than traditional career paths. But are employers’ concerns over work ethic, professionalism, and preparedness valid?
Gen Z is setting the trend and reshaping workplace expectations. It’s time for leaders to adapt and better understand this cohort, or risk losing tomorrow’s talent.
Just 10% of Gen Z professionals want to work in the office full time, says a recent study from The Times (UK), with many preferring a hybrid or fully remote setup. While some employers see this as a lack of dedication, some Gen Zs view it as a smarter way to work – one that prioritizes flexibility, wellbeing, and work-life balance.
The shift isn’t a passing trend; it’s a fundamental change in how the next generation approaches productivity and career growth. For managers, this means addressing rigid office policies and focusing on what really matters: output, engagement, and fostering a culture that supports inter-generational collaboration and autonomy.
But here’s the challenge – many Gen Z workers also admit they may not be working as hard as their parents, with 52% acknowledging they’re “lazier”. But this doesn’t mean they’re unmotivated. They’re questioning outdated work structures and looking for more efficient ways to get results. Business leaders who offer flexibility and create environments that make coming in to the office worth it – for everyone – will be the ones to attract and retain top talent.
Many Gen Zers are skipping the corporate ladder altogether, says an article in Entrepreneur Magazine, in favor of entrepreneurship, gig work, or even trade careers, all of which offer the flexibility and autonomy they crave. With half of Gen Z aspiring to start their own businesses and a growing number opting for vocational careers over costly college degrees, the message is clear: they want work that fits their lives, not the other way around.
So, what’s the move for business leaders? First, embrace individuality – Gen Z wants to be seen as more than just a job title. Next, rethink work culture: flexible schedules and remote options aren’t perks anymore; they’re table stakes. And finally, lead with purpose. This generation cares deeply about impact, and they want to work for companies that align with their values.
“The workplace power dynamic is shifting”, says Appspace Chief Experience Officer Holly Grogan, “and organizations that build meaningful connections will be the ones that thrive.”
Gen Z is fed up with being called lazy – especially when many are working hard, only to “have nothing to show for it”, says an article in Fortune. While older generations once bought homes on modest salaries, young workers today face skyrocketing costs of living, stagnant wages, and a job market that often dismisses their hard-earned degrees. Viral TikToks and heated debates are highlighting this growing frustration, with many pointing out that playing by the old rules – going to college, working long hours, and climbing the corporate ladder – has no real bearing on financial security.
For business leaders, this is a wake-up call. Gen Z won’t accept outdated systems that don’t deliver. And if they feel they’re being ghosted by companies, it looks like they’re having their revenge. ‘Career catfishing’ is an emerging trend, according to new research, and describes people who go through the motions of getting a job but fail to turn up – a sign of the growing rift between big business and Gen Z.
“If companies want to attract and keep talent, they need to lead with empathy,” Grogan says. “That means truly understanding what employees are seeking. It means creating an environment where flexibility is a necessity, fair pay is non-negotiable, and career growth doesn’t come at the cost of burnout.”
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