Money is not all that matters when you are hired, especially if you belong to Generation Z, according to a study sent by HotNews.ro. For Generation Z, flexibility and promotion are more important than money and even job security. We are witnessing a change in the mentality of young people who emphasize autonomy and personal development in their careers, the authors of the study say

In 2023, the main beneficiaries of salary increases were full-time workers, people born between 1981 and 1996, i.e. millennials

• with less stability – 20% (an increase of 8% compared to 2022) believe that the job security has decreased;

• with more work – 49% (an increase of 8% compared to 2022) felt an increase in workload compared to the previous year;

but also with:

• salary increase and benefits – 40% (7% more than in 2022) received a salary increase, and 18% (+5%) received additional benefits;

• professional development – 24% (an increase of 7%) took advantage of development opportunities (training, promotion, etc.);

• flexibility – 67% (by 4%) had the same flexible working mode as last year

Full-time workers, people born between 1981 and 1996, i.e. Millennials, benefited from the wage increase.

At the same time, 24% of respondents, especially Gen Z, women and part-time workers, said they benefited from more opportunities for development at work. This reflects the diversity of experiences and challenges that arise in the Romanian labor market.

The preferences and priorities of Generation Z have begun to clearly shape the landscape of the modern workplace.

Flexibility has become central to this generation, representing a necessary requirement for their workplace.

A physical trip to the office is no longer an attractive option for Generation Z

In addition, physically going to the office is no longer an attractive option for this generation, unlike previous generations. MKOR research shows that 7 out of 10 young people prefer to work remotely, adopting remote work as a way of working.

This paradigm shift can be said to reflect not only Gen Z’s adaptability to technology and socio-economic changes, but also their preference for work-life balance.

In addition, 2 out of 10 want to be able to work from home at least three days a week. This desire underscores Gen Z’s growing need for flexibility and autonomy in the workplace.

Half of millennials want to work from home and are willing to change jobs frequently

This is the perception of 49% of millennials and high earners.

This discovery indicates that many professionals feel increased pressure in terms of the scope of tasks and responsibilities.

• 7 out of 10 young people prefer to work remotely

• 2 out of 10 employees would change jobs in the next 6 months

• 3 out of 10 people believe that the situation of the organization will worsen in 2024

The 2023 and 2022 analysis for Romanian workers tracked the evolution of salary and benefits package, flexibility, workload, team structure and morale, professional development and job security.

According to MKOR research, it appears that 2 out of 10 Romanian workers are likely to change jobs in the next 6 months.

80% of those who would consider changing jobs would do so primarily for the sake of higher income. Such a significant percentage emphasizes the importance of the financial factor in making professional decisions. In addition, the MKOR study found that those workers who are likely to change jobs for higher income are mostly men over 26 and parents with children under 18.

On average, young people expect to stay in the same position for about a year before being promoted. Modern youth want fast career growth.

Generation X considers it unlikely that they will change their current job

People who consider it unlikely to change their current job (57%) are mostly men over 43 who belong to generation X (born in 1965–1980) and have family responsibilities and have children. They work full time and have a monthly income of 3,000 to 6,000 lei. During 2023, they had stable jobs and continued to work in a flexible environment without being forced to work overtime.

Half of these loyal employees received a salary increase during 2023, and one in four received additional benefits, indicating that their contribution to the organization is recognized and valued. Additionally, for the 30% of these workers who are less likely to leave their current job.

They believe that opportunities for promotion and professional development have improved in 2023, which reduces their desire to seek other career opportunities. These aspects contribute to feelings of loyalty and job satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of looking for other positions in the near future.

A significant percentage, around 23%, think it is very likely that they will change their current job, and this sentiment is particularly pronounced among millennials aged 27 to 42, most of whom do not have children. This trend can be explained by a combination of factors that include financial considerations, job stability and career opportunities.

4 out of 10 millennials earn less than 3,000 lei per month

4 out of 10 of these workers earn less than 3,000 lei per month, and their financial situation has not changed significantly compared to the previous year. Salary and benefits remain the same as in 2022. This financial stagnation can increase insecurity and stimulate the search for other opportunities for career growth.

Additionally, during 2023, these employees experienced increased insecurity about their current jobs as a result of changes they experienced at the team level, such as downsizing and lower morale within the organization. This instability forces them to look for more stable work elsewhere.

In terms of workload, these workers believe that the workload has increased and the flexibility between working at home and in the office has decreased compared to previous years. The lack of professional development opportunities is another crucial factor contributing to their decision to seek an alternative career.

MKOR’s analysis of data also found that millennials are more likely to ask for a raise in the coming year as they try to improve their financial situation and meet increased needs.

At the same time, 4 in 10 millennials say they plan to look for alternatives to supplement their income, including by getting a second job, self-employment or additional work.

67% of workers (14% more than in 2022) and 59% of managers believe that the number of unemployed people will increase in 2024. Only 5% of respondents believe that the number of unemployed will decrease. Thus, this perception reflects a general concern about employment prospects in the near future.

According to the MKOR study, employees are more pessimistic than managers about changes in the unemployment rate this year. However, only 4% of workers expect to lose their jobs in 2024.

Managers are generally more categorical about the evolution of the organization: 4 out of 10 believe that the situation in the organization of which they are a part will worsen in the next year.

Only 13% of employees and 26% of managers believe that the situation in the organization in which they work will improve in 2024.