Generation Z Redefines the Workplace
Generation Z is reshaping expectations in the workplace, placing greater emphasis on emotional openness, mutual respect, and work-life balance. Unlike Generation X, which often sacrificed personal life for professional commitment, and millennials who entered the job market amid economic uncertainty, Gen Z is driven by different values. For them, work is not a goal in itself, but a tool for achieving personal growth and maintaining a fulfilling private life.
“Younger generations, especially Gen Z, expect workplaces where diverse values are respected and open communication is the norm. They live simultaneously online and offline, naturally blending both realities even at work,” Dr. Karolina Mesjasz from the University of Łódź during EFNI Spring 2025, said.
This generation values feedback not just from managers but also wants to contribute their views on work processes. They also openly express emotions in the workplace – a contrast to previous generations, where feelings were often suppressed. Citing the mental and physical toll of emotional repression, Gen Z sees transparency and psychological safety as essential.
For employers, the message is clear: creating inclusive, emotionally intelligent, and flexible work environments is no longer optional – it’s a key to attracting and retaining the workforce of the future.
