What Remote-first Gen Zers Want at Work

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Gen Z largely entered the workforce as remote and hybrid work went mainstream.

Posted by LampLighter at 01:30 PM | 17 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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More from the article...

...Why it matters: Early career professionals are hungry for mentorship and real connections (even friends) on top of flexibility and work-life balance. With Gen Z expected to overtake Baby Boomers in the workplace this year, those preferences are reshaping the modern workplace.

By the numbers: Nearly two-thirds of students said they were more likely to apply for a job with a flexible schedule, according to a Handshake report from September.

- - - 36% of students said they want a job with an even split of in-person and remote work.

- - - 26% want mostly in-person.

- - - 11% want fully in-person

- - - 13% want mostly remote

- - - 14% want fully remote

The intrigue: Gen Z was the least likely among all generations in the workforce to apply for remote roles, according to a 2023 LinkedIn analysis. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-18 12:48 AM | Reply

Of course, all this only applies to folk who can work remotely. As in, office workers. There are still people who have to actually put their hands on things do get their jobs done.

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-02-18 01:25 AM | Reply

Interesting that "mentorship" is mentioned.

That is an aspect of the in-office experience that I have noted in the past.

#3 | Posted by lamplighter at 2024-02-18 01:26 AM | Reply

@#2 ... As in, office workers. ...

Absolutely true.

For example, the electrician who recently visited my abode to solve a problem could not work remotely.

As a side comment, has the current evolved to trivialize those who actually keep the economy running? If so, why?

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-18 01:30 AM | Reply

@#4

the current evolved

- should be -

the current economy evolved

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-18 01:31 AM | Reply

the current economy evolved

I think it has. In the past, people worked real jobs to make a living and bought lottery tickets in the hopes of hitting it rich.

These days it seems like being a crypto billionaire or YouTube 'influencer' is the first choice, and just working odd jobs for food in the meantime is the strategy.

#6 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-02-18 01:38 AM | Reply

Employees want options that best suit their personal circumstances?

Society is crumbling before our eyes! /s

#7 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-18 11:52 AM | Reply

I don't think it's current probably started at least back in the 80's when I was a kid and probably had even longer ago than that but I wouldn't remember. Go to college and get a good job was not very subtle code for a white collar office job. My mom still has some issue with me being a repair man as it doesn't fit with her and her friends notions of a successful son. The fact that I'm doing pretty well for myself has only slightly helped and I know she doesn't mention my work to her friends just my financial success.

If anything I would say we are starting to see a resurgence of prestige for blue collar jobs. Probably helped a lot by those of us who made it to the upper middle class and above while starting out as a laborer.

#8 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2024-02-18 12:21 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"For example, the electrician who recently visited my abode to solve a problem could not work remotely."

Nor was he able to do the work from a corporate office.
So your point falls pretty flat here.
Like, really stupidly badly made point.

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-18 02:26 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Problem is, there are work places now where they have both remote and in officer workers.The in office workers get the face time with the bosses and guess which are more prone to get the raises.

Happened with my son when he worked for three years at the Pentagon. Most of his coworkers worked from home, but he continued to go in during those COVID years. Whenever something hot came up the generals came to him due to his physical presence, and not only a glowing review when he left, but also received a 'plum' reassignment that he put in for. Face time with the bosses is important, but something that many do not realize.

#10 | Posted by MSgt at 2024-02-18 02:28 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"Problem is, there are work places now where they have both remote and in officer workers."

At the team level, it should be a uniform policy, even if the policy is "do what's best for you."

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-18 02:41 PM | Reply

#10 | POSTED BY MSGT

So, you've been retired for what, 10-15 years now?

What could you possibly know about the current work environment?

#12 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-02-18 10:12 PM | Reply

Two recent articles in WSJ point to the career risks taken by those who work from home: First, those not in the office are more often than not selected to lose their jobs in times of cutbacks, because (wait for it) they are not in the office, so have not formed connections nor have they established themselves as part of the group; and second, those working remotely are less likely to be mentored or groomed for advancement, because (wait again) they are not around to be noticed and recognized. Those established in their jobs and careers can better work remotely without being forgotten, but for younger workers there is risk in working from home...

#13 | Posted by catdog at 2024-02-19 04:21 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

I totally believe it.
Rewarding the apple polishers is nothing new.
Justifying it like this might be new, though.

#14 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-19 05:04 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Early career professionals are hungry for mentorship and real connections (even friends)

Sorry zoomers, but these perks are reserved for the in office or at bare minimum, the hybrid, employees.

#15 | Posted by GOnoles92 at 2024-02-19 06:47 PM | Reply

In response to #8 Tao...

Having a successful white collar job is not all it's cracked up to be. I get to work from home 3 days a week, and commute in and out of DC the other 2 days a week. It is tough on sleep schedules, and tough on the body for those of us 'north of 50' in age. Tough also to sit all day in front of a computer. Forces one to be disciplined enough to initiate one's own exercise regimen. Either that or be prepared to have heart surgery or a geart attck or stroke before retirement...

#16 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-02-19 09:00 PM | Reply

"commute in and out of DC the other 2 days a week"

At least there's MARC.

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-19 09:04 PM | Reply