Sefa Bulut* and Dilara Maraba
Department of Counseling Psychology, Turkey
*Corresponding author: Sefa Bulut, Department of Counseling Psychology, Turkey
Submission: January 25, 2021Published: February 08, 2021
ISSN 2639-0612Volume4 Issue4
Generation Z is the youngest and popular generational cohort who started to be investigated with interest in researches since its impacts are distinctly seen in various fields, and it is entering on labour market now. Generation Z has been growing in an era where technological advancement is fostered, and they are able to have access to effortless and rapid information through technological tools, like the Internet and smartphones. Like other generational cohorts, Generation Z has unique habits and personality traits since they experienced different social, economic or historical circumstances depending on the time interval in which they raised, and the perception of work and occupational habits are affected by those particular characteristics. This study aims to explore dimensions that are related to work, such as work habits, motivations, expectations preferences and work ethics of Generation Z in order to build qualified and effective current and future workforce and satisfied individuals in career path. Generation Z is tech-savvy who is shaped by the peak in technology, and it is individualistic, entrepreneurial, moneyconscious, and a multitasker. They like working collaboratively with personal autonomy in a flexible workplace that allows work-life balance and ethical working, and they need monitoring and feedback at work by their executives.
Keywords: Generation Z;Technology;Perception of work;Work habits;Motivations; expectations,preferences, work ethic and values
Although generational cohorts and differences between generations are a known notion by people, the Generation Z is the latest and salient cohort that differ from others, which are Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials), due to their unconventional characteristics, and their impacts have become distinct as they started to involve in many different domains of the life. Despite there is some nuance in the age range, people who born after 1995 are involved in Generation Z with a general unanimous, and since the development of technology accelerated and began to take a concrete place in daily life at years when they born and raised, it can be said that technology is one of the major factors that shape the common trait of the Generation Z. Desai [1] states that Generation Z is unlike any previous generation, and they have strong relationships to all parts of the world, an ability for technological tasks and advanced social skills since they have been mingled with technology and its tools from when they were born. The world has been in a transformation since it existed through the social, political, geographical and technological changes, and people shed skin in each time by reestablishing their own understanding, world view, beliefs, norms, or habits. The variation in people is related to the term “generation” which means people who live in the same time period in a society or in a family. Its meaning can be expanded with the consideration of different aspects, which are chronological, political and social depending on age, social experiences that are shared and collective identity which historical alteration create, respectively [2,3]. The generational cohort is the more academic term that is used in various domains of literature research, and it is specified by meaning that people in the same generational cohort experience same time events and share similar values between the period late adolescent and early adulthood [4]. Although it does not mean that each person in the same generational cohort thinks in the same line and has the same values or beliefs exactly, there is a general pattern in way of behaving and thinking due to breathing the same atmosphere in terms of place and time.
Since every generational cohort has different experiences and
is exposed by various dynamics, they reflect specific traits, and the
differentiation is seen in their work habits and characteristics like
in other areas. In this respect, it is beneficial to find out the major
three generational cohorts, which are Baby Boomers, Generation X
and Generation Y (Millennials) in terms of characteristics in work
and market labour in order to comprehend Generation Z at work.
Baby Boomers, who are born between 1946 and 1965 when social,
economical and political turbulence was acute, are described as
team players, workaholics, quality minded, and the generation
that is concerned more with self-development in a career than
family [5]. Although Baby Boomers lived in a difficult period, their
offspring were not as lucky as they were for finding a job because of
the hiring insufficiency by government, the increment of temporary
and part-time jobs rather than full time and reconstruction of
the industries. Thus, they had to be less committed to work
and prioritized extrinsic work rewards instead of intrinsic [6].
Millennials, which is also called Generation Y, are the closest
generation cohort to Generation Z since they are just before itself,
and they could reach the first steps of the technology era. Thus,
Generation Z shares many aspects that are alike with Millenials
although there are some differences in terms of work habits. Being
self-centered, questioning authority, appreciating flexibility and
improvement, seeking training and being socially skillful at work is
some of the occupational characteristics, which are common with
Generation Z, of Millennials [7].
The youth of Generation Z has entered the labour market
to work, and most of them are preparing to get involved, so it is
significant to figure out the common characteristics, and their
perception of the work. Iorgulescu [8] states that since youth in
Generation Z has arrived at the workplace, their characteristics,
expectations, priorities, values and aspirations about the work
are required to comprehend. Beyond individuals differ in a way
of thinking and behaving in work and daily life, each generational
cohort has unique attitudes, values and habits, so exploring, using
and fusing the knowledge, which represents the characteristics of
a generation, is crucial for the executives of the labour market in
order to get monetary utility [9]. The current study is important
to find out the characteristics and attitudes of the Generation Z in
terms of both general and occupational in order to create a qualified
workforce and happy workers who are productive at present and
future. Thus, the paper aims to explore work habits, motivations,
expectations, preferences, work ethics and values, by taking into
consideration the role of the labour market, employers and the
technology as factor that shapes characteristics of Generation Z.
The youth of Generation Z has always been able to reach the
knowledge easily without much effort and raising in an era where
technology is fostered is the reason for this opportunity. They have
had more accessibility to get information through the internet smartphones and online networking at schools than previous
generational cohorts, like Baby Boomers or Millennials [10].
Individuals of Generation Z cannot tolerate anything that processes
slowly, rather they adore and appreciate the speed in each aspect
of life, for instance, a video talking with a friend who lives on the
other side of the world [11]. Technological tools and easy access
to information have molded the character, trait, and habits of the
people in Generation Z. Mccrindle [12] defines Generation Z with
seven factors that it is internationally connected due to technology
that enables to reach various culture, foods, social trends; is techsavvy
because engaged technology from early ages; is visually
engaged who tend to watch the video that provides overall quick
understanding about a subject instead of reading an article; is the
generational cohort took more years of formal education than
previous generations; and is the group which is the most socially
skilled and involved through the social media tools, like Facebook,
Instagram.
Being online and informed about all things around them is one
of the major concerns of Generation Z, and they prioritize sharing
information rather than keeping to themselves, so it can be said
that they strongly are good at social relationships. As it is said
above, technology and its most distinct component Internet are two
effective factors that shape the characteristic, attitude and manner
of the Generation Z, and like each domain in its life is affected by
technological tendency, their perception of work and work habits
are also shaped by that impact. Dwivedula et al. [13] state that
Generation Z has grown in technology era without any transition
period, so it can be said that they are first digital natives, and they
have greatly contributed to the workplace through opportunities
that make convenience and more efficacy due to technological
advance which is also used for working collaboratively with
colleagues in a wide range.
It is not surprising that people of Generation Z tend to be
more individualistic than any other generational cohort, and
they look for personal benefit at work because of the dominant
culture of capitalism that leads to individualism. In this regard, it
can be said that three major characteristics are observed, which
are individualistic, entrepreneurial and money-conscious of
Generation Z in terms of work habits and characteristics in a job
[14]. Majority of Generation Z does not have a long-term career,
and they don’t care about to work for a long while in a firm or a
sector, they can do various types of the job with the motto of Do-
It-Yourself (DIY) [15]. The survey of Robert [16] reveals that the
salary is the second-highest expectation of Gen Z, so they prefer to
work in large scale companies that provide the opportunity for selfimprovement.
However, it does not mean that they are not altruistic
or are not able to work collaboratively in work. Richardson (2017)
indicates that young people of Generation Z prefer to work in an
environment that provides flexibility, collaborative working and personal autonomy. There are different opinions about the working
efficiency of Generation Z with the consideration of social media
usage. Although Gen Z are very ambitious and multitasker in the
occupational fields, the quality of work performance during at work
is damaged, because they engage in social media often. According to
Jones et al. [14] states that individuals of Generation Z show less
disciplinarity at work than previous generations by taking breaks
that have short duration but more frequent, and they are not good
at managing time effectively because of smartphones.
Contrary, it is said that despite Generation Z seems to be
distracted because of social media tools, they are multitasker
individuals who are able to do more than one work due to
having a strong relationship with social media tools that allow
transmitting occupational knowledge and aims by communicating
and interacting with the wide range of society. Besides Generation
Z have the characteristics of entrepreneur and brave, they are
more careful in their career path by taking into consideration
of what and how they plan to do. Johnson [17] claims that young
people in Generation Z can be defined as independent thinkers and
financially conservative who are more worried about the future,
unlike optimistic Millennials that are the preceding generational
cohort. They give great importance to health care opportunities,
which are like medical, dental or mental health, insurance and
financial stability which includes retirement benefits, perks and
bonuses that should be provided by a job as a necessity [18].
Characteristics and work habits of Generation Z has shaped its perception of work through the aspects which are motivations, expectations and preferences. Although going to a university is accepted as significant and the number of young people who acquired formal education more than any previous generational cohort, there is a considerable amount of senior or graduate young people who question the necessity of it. For example, Mkhize [19] states as a result of the survey which Universe carried out in 14- 18 ages, that most of Generation Z querying do they really want to go to a university or is a college is a utility for their future; and most of them think that there are no advantages to go a college because of fees and to serve only a stable career, rather they assume to be more competent by profiting from online free sources and courses, and be able to work in a project-based that they like, not employed for one firm or sector. Fodor et al. [20] carried out a study which aims to explore the viewpoint about a successful career of Generation Z with a sample who born between the 1995 and 2000 years, and it is founded that a job that makes them happy and satisfied with flexible working hours is one of the components of successful career since they give importance to work-life balance than their parent who sacrifices themselves by ignoring the engagement of social activities and health conditions for the sake of working, instead, they can able to manage time, so spare time for both family, work and hobbies. Also, they found that most of the respondents emphasized attractive environments that foster their performance in the work due to providing recognition, reward, and allowing creativity and ambition which are some of the distinct characteristics of Gen Z. Fratričová [21] conducted a study to explore the motivations and obstacles in work for Generation Z, and they founded that they are unmotivated if they do not like what they do, do not able to work harmoniously with colleagues, do not have a certain purpose, and they are overwhelmed because of excessive tasks at hand; contrary, personal development appreciate and liking work, working collaboratively with others, leadership and recognition lead them to become motivated in the workplace. May (n.d) states that Generation Z expect to be listened to and their opinions and suggestions are appreciated in a workplace, which provides the opportunity for growth, with an effective mentorship by employers or superiors.
Although the young individuals of Generation Z are defined as individualistic and money conscious, and they seem careless to social matters, contrary to this they are concerned for their career in the future, morality and ethics at work. Alter [22] mentions that Generation Z gives importance to financial stability, developing skills and pursuing opportunities in occupation, and since they appreciate diversity among people they don’t want to work in a business that marginalizes individuals because of sexual orientation, gender and ethnicity. Gen Z report by the Network of Executive Women (NEW) [23] indicates that 77% of the respondents, who attend the survey, consider social activism important as being a core value, and they don’t care not only the quality of products but also ethical values of companies that take actions by going beyond the only sayings about societal struggles, like climate change, sustainability, famine. For instance, Greta Thunberg, who is a young Swedish activist and was born in 2003, is one of the most prominent examples of the high degree social awareness of Generation Z. The speeches and actions of the girl with a diagnosis of Asperger and selective mutism, about climate change created great influence throughout the world. In this regard, she had served as a model how the latest generational cohort is sensitive to the earth where she lived than predecessors, who is the reason for the issue but is not involved in any solution of the problem, and how it is courageous and skillful they take responsibility to change.
The work characteristics and habits of Generation Z are essential to be considered by the labour market and employers to get the efficacy from what is done and produced. Lazannyi et al. [24] that companies are required to encourage employers to work collaboratively as teams and to become more socially active by providing an environment that enhances creativity, innovation and self-esteem, and satisfaction which are some traits and expectation of Generation Z in order to increase the turnover of the company. Individuals of Generation Z expect their employers to be honest, and rectitude by giving response for each asked question by them, and although they have a proclivity to be entrepreneurial and autonomous, they stress the significance and need of the monitoring role of leaders, who provide appropriate tools and feedback because they are overwhelmed diverse and extensive information which is supplied by Internet, and they are not able to distinguish which is relevant and which is not [16].
To sum up, the paper illustrates the work habits, expectations,
motivations, preferences which are related to occupation, work
ethics and values with the consideration of the role of the labour
market and employers for Generation Z who is substantially shaped
by technology and its provided opportunities. Since they are native
of technological advancement, they are internationally connected,
effortless informed and socially connected. Also, because each
generational cohort had differently experienced the time and
its components, like economic and social, Generation Z forms a
particular way of thinking and behaving at work [25-27]. The young
people of Generation Z have individualistic, entrepreneurial, and
money conscious characteristics at work, and they look for large
scale companies that offer good salary and self-enhancement.
Although they can be easily distracted and the degree of
work efficacy decrease because of technological tools at work,
they are ambitious multitaskers who can deal with many tasks
simultaneously. Generation Z desire to have autonomous, but they
are good team workers if the appropriate monitoring and feedback
are provided by employers. Despite the cohort is entrepreneurial
and brave, people priorities the financial stability with consideration
of health care benefits and retirement opportunities. The youth of
Generation Z appreciate diversity depending on sexual orientation
and gender at work and seek sensitivity about social struggles as
ethical values of companies. The work environment that fosters
creativity, self-satisfaction, innovation, collaborative working
honesty, appreciation for the task which is done and flexibility
that allows work-life balance is one of the important desires from
the marketplaces and executives of the corporation. The paper
contributes to the literature by demonstrating what work habits
Generation Z has and how it constructs the perception of work
since there is not enough research about the generational cohort
which is a new and attractive concept due to its recognized impact
and influence on many areas of the life.
There are some limitations of the study since the term of Generation Z is very new and there is not sufficient research about it. First of all, the study could not fully support certain statistical data, because there are a few surveys about Generation Z, instead, specific organizations that are interested in the characteristics and the impacts of the generational cohort is available in the literature. The second constraint is that although the study demonstrates the habits and perception of the work of people in Generation Z, it does not show specific occupation types, like doctor or manager, that is preferred and with which proportions. The study is important to understand the habits, expectations and motivations of Generation Z who is the workforce at current and in the future, so it helps to construct an effective and efficient labour market with the happy worker. However, the study should be expanded to how career counselling should be given to the young individuals of Generation Z, what changes and modifications are necessary in career counselling in order to lead them to choose the best job and to establish a strong and productive labour market in the light of the knowledge in the current study.
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