The Central Statistical Office data shows that representatives of Generation Z constitute 10% of all employees in Poland. However, forecasts indicate that within two years their share in the working population will increase to 27%. Benefit Systems, realising the growing role of this professional group, decided to learn more about the opinions and expectations of young employees. Instead of relying on stereotypes, the company started a dialogue and addressed questions directly to the youngest team members, enabling them to articulate their expectations and needs in relation to the work environment and benefit packages.
Benefit Systems: What stereotypes regarding Generation Z have you encountered in the labour market?
Karol, 23 years old: I have encountered many stereotypes about my generation. They are both negative (such as being lazy, and demanding, reluctant to perform more difficult tasks), but also positive, such as creativity, as well as ease in adapting modern technologies and assimilating information. I somewhat agree with some stereotypes, but I cannot generalise and attribute them to every employee of my generation. I have dealt with demanding people who would like to have a managerial salary from the very beginning but were not properly involved in their duties. I have also met people who work hard and are aware that a professional career is more of a marathon than a sprint. The latter show considerable patience in building their personal brand on the labour market and are not afraid to take on the hardest duties. They want to show that they care and would like to work for their promotion.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: The most common stereotypes about Generation Z are that we are lazy and demanding. In my opinion, as with any stereotype, it depends on the case. I believe that you can find people with such characteristics in every generation. Observing my own and my friends’ struggles on the labour market, though, I do not think that this is the rule for my generation. The fact is that Generation Z has a slightly different view of their professional career and a different system of work-related priorities. And this may be the reason for these stereotypes.
Weronika, 23 years old: It is said that young people strive for fast career and high earnings with minimal effort. Personally, I think it depends on one’s priorities and personality. At work, I often meet people who, despite having little experience, are very confident and express high expectations regarding employment conditions. On the other hand, there are also people who are grateful for the opportunity to work and develop. A positive distinguishing feature of my generation is that we bring ease and freedom to the workplace. I agree with it. Generation Z is characterised by openness and ease of establishing contacts. We quickly build relationships getting onto first-name terms. For us, work is not only an obligation, but also an opportunity to make acquaintances that may develop into friendships also outside the professional sphere. I admit that sometimes we have poor concentration and a short attention span on given tasks. I notice it in myself. That’s why I like to do many tasks at once or complete one task in a short time and move on to the next one. Moreover, young people certainly prefer open salary ranges in job offers and talk openly about money with their peers. I agree with this approach. Generation Z also highly values work-life balance which is the basis for their functioning in professional life.
Benefit Systems: Would you agree with the statement that your professional career is your priority?
Karol, 23 years old: My professional career is important to me, but I cannot consider it my main priority. For me, the most important thing is to live a successful life within my own family, so that I can always come back to someone after work. It is also important to take care of your passions, which have played an important role throughout my life. Of course, I would like to go far in my professional career, because money would certainly help me realise my strictly material dreams, which are also related to my passions, but I would never want to sacrifice my life with my loved ones for my own career.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: Yes and no. My professional career is a priority in my life, especially now that I have time for it and I have no obligations, such as children. I am aware that I will probably never have such space for development and trying new things, and as the commitments in my private life increase, there will be less and less of it. For this reason, I want to use it as much as possible. I try to do it within reason, though. I believe that balance is key in life. Pursuing your professional goals at all costs is, in my opinion, a mistake. Considering how quickly the labour market is changing, I believe that you should take care of yourself first.
Weronika, 23 years old: My professional life is my priority now. Currently, I am focusing on building my career, developing skills, and achieving professional goals. However, I realise that life consists of many areas that also have great importance. Depending on new experiences, values or changing life circumstances, the situation and priorities may change in the future. I try to assess my priorities and adapt them to current needs and goals.
Benefit Systems: What do you think are the characteristics of an ideal boss?
Karol, 23 years old: The features of an ideal boss are the willingness to help in difficult matters, openness to establishing relationships, as well as knowledge and authority. If employees find themselves in a difficult situation at work related to their work tasks, who but their supervisor would help them?
Employees must feel that they can count on good advice and help from their line manager in every situation. If their boss is open to establishing relationships, he or she does not create barriers that may negatively affect the atmosphere in the team. Personally, if I came to work and my supervisor didn’t want to talk to me about anything other than my job duties, I would feel like they were looking down on me because they had a higher position and didn’t want to know anything more about me.
A boss who is open to establishing relationships is a person who inspires trust and builds the right atmosphere in the office, because again – who is supposed to build it if not the superior? Knowledge and demonstrating authority are also important features of a supervisor. Since they are placed higher, we should be sure that they have a lot of knowledge. We should feel respect for the person who is our boss. When we see that they have less knowledge about the work than an ordinary employee, we feel that something is wrong, and we are automatically less willing to perform the tasks assigned by them. Supervisors must expect a lot from others, but even more from themselves, because it is them who drive the entire team.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: The ideal boss is one who can evaluate constructively. Praise or constructive criticism are good indicators for professional development, set the direction and strengthen good attitudes in the employee, if everything happens in an atmosphere of mutual respect. This attitude is motivating for the employee, but also allows them to better learn from failures. Good communication is important. It is good when supervisors clearly communicate their needs, but also try to listen to the needs of their subordinates. Thanks to this, there are no misunderstandings, the likelihood of conflicts is reduced, and trust is built. The ideal boss is also a competent person who knows the processes taking place in the company and has knowledge in the field the team deals with, which translates into proper management of the team and gives its members confidence that the actions they take are right.
Weronika, 23 years old: I think the ideal boss should be fair, have an inspiring approach and have mentoring skills. Maintaining equality in the treatment of each employee builds loyalty and motivates full commitment. The boss’s inspiring attitude encourages the pursuit of ambitious goals, and mentoring skills make me feel supported, having a defined development path and clear goals to achieve.
Benefit Systems: Many studies show that hybrid or completely remote work are the preferred forms of employment for Gen Z. Why do you think young employees are becoming less willing to work from the office?
Karol, 23 years old: In my opinion, Generation Z is characterised by a desire to make the most of their time. I feel the same way. For people my age, commuting to work can be difficult. Not every young person has their own car. Nowadays, the costs are quite high, and my generation, which has just entered the labour market, cannot always afford such expenses. Representatives of Generation Z do not want to waste time commuting to work and returning home because they would prefer to use it for other activities that are important to them. Personally, however, I would not like to work completely remotely because I like to be in contact with people who give me positive energy to work.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: Generation Z employees are people who, in most cases, are still in college. Remote work allows them to save time commuting and be more flexible with their working hours. Instead of spending an hour to get to work, they can spend it on actual work. It cannot be denied that this is a very convenient solution, and with proper verification of the employer, it does not affect the quality of the tasks performed.
Weronika, 23 years old: Remote work is certainly a convenient form of cooperation. You don’t have to move around, which means you can sleep longer. And longer sleep immediately improves your mood and overall well-being.
Benefit Systems: What do you think is the most desired benefit among Generation Z representatives?
Karol, 23 years old: Among Generation Z employees, the most important benefit is certainly a cash bonus for a job well done. Nothing motivates young employees as much as good earnings, especially with today’s high prices. Generation Z employees, feeling additionally rewarded for hard work, know that they can give even more to receive a bonus again.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: The previously mentioned remote work, but also access to sports packages such as MultiSport, good coffee in the office, no dress code or flexible working hours. I think it all adds up to a nice workplace.
Weronika, 23 years old: In my opinion, one of the most desired benefits among Generation Z representatives is flexibility in the workplace, i.e. the possibility of remote or hybrid work. Generation Z values autonomy and freedom in organising their working time. Additionally, benefits related to professional development and education: training programmes, opportunities to acquire new skills and support in career development. Of course, benefits related to well-being and psychological support are also important.
Benefit Systems: What benefits do you think are missing on the market? Describe your ideal benefit.
Karol, 23 years old: At Benefit Systems, the perfect benefit for me is the MultiSport card. My main passion is sport, and having such a card encourages me to spend my time actively more. I can feel joy that I do what I like in my free time.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: Being a student, I admit that a benefit that would allow me to work a little less during the session without major consequences would be nice. Or something aimed at protecting working students during this period. Typically, it’s just two weeks over five months. It would be a significant support.
Weronika, 23 years old: In my opinion, the market is missing the benefits connected with psychological support. However, it often happens that young people work on a mandate contract and do not have access to most additional benefits due to the form of cooperation. This is also a big problem on the labour market.
Benefit Systems: What would have to be included in the benefits package to make you feel that your employer supports your mental condition?
Karol, 23 years old: In the current situation, when the world is moving faster and faster, when interpersonal relationships are becoming less and less necessary due to the digitization of society, when we hear about various unfortunate phenomena around the world in the news, there is certainly a group of employees whose mental health is deteriorating because of all this. It is therefore justified to develop mental health benefits. You can be physically the healthiest person in the world, but if you develop mental health problems, the effects will be very serious.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: I think that having a therapist or psychologist available from time to time would be a nice option, especially since these days such services are difficult to access, even if you have private insurance. Additionally, it seems to me that such a widespread possibility would normalise mental health problems.
Weronika, 23 years old: The package of benefits supporting employees’ mental health should include various measures providing emotional and psychological support. Important elements may include access to specialised therapeutic services, wellness programmes, flexible work hours to adapt your schedule to individual needs more easily, educational materials and training on managing stress and taking care of your mental health.
Benefit Systems: Do you think your approach to work is different from your parents’? If so, how?
Karol, 23 years old: The difference is most visible in the fact that my parents’ generation highly valued stability in their lives and were afraid of changes related to their work. Generation Z is characterised by the fact that we are not afraid to change our lives in search of a better place for ourselves and for our self-development. We don’t want to waste time in a place that does not fully meet our expectations.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: Of course. I think I am less attached to one job. I can’t imagine working in one place for 20 or 40 years. If there are factors that negatively affect everyday life, I believe that, unlike my parents’ generation, it would be easier for me to decide to change my job. This, of course, results from the changes that have taken place in the labour market. Today we are dealing with the employee’s market. I think the value system has also changed a bit. Work is no longer an end in itself, but is simply a means to fulfil yourself outside of it. I also have the impression that my generation finds it easier to set and define their boundaries and take care of work-life balance.
Weronika, 23 years old: It’s not much different. My parents, despite their age, are quite modern. They have a very similar approach to mine. Work is important, but it is not everything. It can be a tool to achieve set goals, but it should not be an end in itself.
Benefit Systems: Do you think the position of manager is attractive? Would you ever like to take it yourself?
Karol, 23 years old: The position of manager is, of course, very attractive, mainly for financial reasons. This is even more important in a difficult economic period, when our salaries are eaten up by inflation, and a large group of citizens must give up certain elements of their lives because they cannot afford them at the moment. Being a manager in a large company would allow you to meet a large part of your needs without worrying about whether you will have enough means for everything. However, a managerial position also involves more responsibilities and an increased sense of ownership. Not everyone would be ready for the fact that sometimes you must work overtime to complete all your tasks. Currently, I would not like to be a manager because, firstly, I have no qualifications yet, and secondly, my current position allows me to fully meet all my needs. Would I like to be a manager someday? I think I could try to take up this task if I had appropriate competences, but I would also be aware that such a position would require even greater sacrifices from me, which could damage my private life. As a manager, I would also give up this position if it would negatively affect my life outside of work, but if there was an opportunity to take up such a position, I would of course take it, just to at least try it.
Aleksandra, 22 years old: It depends on your predispositions. I think it can be a nice job for people who like changes and the so-called “handlers.” This is not a role I would like to see myself in at the moment, as I do not feel competent in management. I feel that there are still many areas to explore and improve in related to my current position, but life also constantly teaches you to never say never, so who knows...
Weronika, 23 years old: The managerial position is attractive. It is a kind of achievement and recognition from the employer. At the same time, it involves a lot of responsibility, which undoubtedly generates a lot of stress. Nevertheless, I think that I would like to perform such a function one day.