What Are They Looking For?
Millennials (born between 1981–2000) currently make up around 70% of the Australian workforce. And Gen Zs (born between 2001–2020) are hot on their heels.
Generational cohorts, like millennials and Gen Zs, are a neat way to split a population and take a closer look at people’s beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and preferences. While every individual in a cohort is different, there are often common threads that emerge. And these can be useful, including to potential employers.
Here are 5 things millennials and Gen Zs want from work in 2025 according to the 2024 Millennial and Gen Z Survey by global consultancy firm Deloitte. This survey is based on responses from 23,000 respondents worldwide, including Australia.
- Work/ life balance
Work/life balance is at the top of the list for millennials and Gen Zs. They are actively looking for flexibility – in work locations and working hours – from their employer. That said, they’re not completely averse to office-based work. The majority of survey respondents said that they had been asked to return to the office on a full-time or part-time basis. And they highlighted its benefits, such as improved connections and collaboration. Although there were also drawbacks to note, including increased stress.
- Purpose-driven work
Over 85% of respondents in both cohorts – millennials and Gen Zs – said that a sense of purpose was important to their overall job satisfaction and wellbeing. This purpose varied, making it difficult to pinpoint what it actually is that individuals are looking for. But it is clear that millennials and Gen Zs actively seek organisations and roles that align with their beliefs and values. And for many of them, the impact that an organisation has on society and its community engagement are also important considerations.
- Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability is a key concern for the majority of millennials and Gen Zs. They’re worried about climate change. Around 60% of survey respondents felt that businesses have the opportunity to drive change to protect the environment. And millennials and Gen Zs aren’t afraid to reflect this belief in their career choices. 2 in 10 of them said they had changed so their work was more in line with their environmental values. And a significant number more said they were thinking about doing the same in the future.
- GenAI – or maybe not!
There were mixed views about Generative AI among millennials and Gen Zs who responded to the survey. Those who use GenAI regularly at work felt that it had its positives, such as improving the way they work and freeing up their time for other tasks. But they also mentioned its potential downsides, including the fear that automation will take over jobs. They’re pragmatic about their future though, indicating the need to adapt, upskill and look for jobs that aren’t at so much risk from GenAI. Respondents in both cohorts were also planning to participate in GenAI training in the near future.
- A focus on mental health
Mental health is something millennials and Gen Zs are acutely aware of. Only around 50% of them said they had good or very good mental health. So, that’s a lot of people in both cohorts where mental health is a concern. Although many said there had been improvements related to mental health in their organisations, many are unwilling to speak with their managers about mental health issues. And some felt that they would be discriminated against if they raised the subject at work.
Although surveys paint a broad picture, organisations would benefit from taking note of what matters to millennials and Gen Zs. They can then identify actions that respond to the needs of their workforce and move towards becoming an employer of choice.
At Optimal Workforce, we welcome applications from all generational cohorts. Contact our professional team today to discuss temporary employment opportunities at admin@optimalworkforce.com.au or 02 8077 7030.
