What Gen Z and Millennials Want From Employers

The annual Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey was recently conducted across 44 countries.  While these generations believe employers have made progress in key areas such as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), enabling work/life balance, and driving positive societal change, they expect more.  Additionally, less than half believe the impact of business on society is positive.

How are they looking for employers to step up?

• They want their employers’ values to be aligned with their own, and they want to drive societal change through purposeful and meaningful work.
• These generations hold organizations to high standards and make career decisions accordingly. Nearly four in 10 respondents have rejected work assignments due to ethical concerns. More than a third have turned down employers that they feel aren’t doing enough on matters such as the environment, DEI, or mental health.
• GenZers and millennials want to take part in driving change through their individual work and are more likely to stay in an organization when they feel empowered to do so.  Yet only half of this year’s respondents feel empowered to drive change at work.
• One-third say that decisions are made from the top down and their feedback is not acted upon.  This is particularly true when it comes to climate action.  Only 15% of Gen Zers and millennials feel able to influence their organization’s efforts on sustainability, yet half of the respondents say they research a brand’s environmental impact and policies before accepting a role.

Jill, What Can I Do?  Share this content with leaders and decision-makers, as unlike previous generations, Gen Zers and millennials are holding their employers accountable. They are looking to companies to tackle pressing societal and environmental issues, and they want to be a part of the solution.