New research finds Gen Z no longer want to work from home

Virgin Radio

27 Sep 2022, 13:39

Far from being lazy as many older generations assume, it seems that Gen Z no longer want to work from home.

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world of work for many people, leaving the office and their commute behind for working at home.

New research has found 72% of Gen Z want to be in the office between three and five days a week.

The survey was carried out by Bright Network, and reported that many younger workers are keen to get back into the office.

Gen Z are born between 1997 to 2012.

The survey shows that 88% of them feel it's important or valuable to have friends at work.

However many are not looking for love at work, with 50% saying they would be cautious about an office romance.

Many are blaming the cost of living crisis for impacting their careers.

Some eight in ten said they have a side hustle, explaining it is helpful to have an extra money-making scheme outside of their usual work.

James Uffindell is the CEO and founder, Bright Network. He says: "This research will shake up what many people thought they knew about Gen Z, and cause many to look at Gen Z in a new light in the workplace."

‘"Gen Z talent is absolutely fundamental to the success of UK businesses, both now and in the coming years. What we’ve found from speaking to Gen Z students is that employers absolutely should not believe some of the stereotypes they have heard.

"Our advice for employers is to focus on the Gen Z experience, but part of this means recognising that often older, established workers set the culture.

"If teams are burned out after the pandemic, this will affect new Gen Z joiners, their experience of the organisation, their performance, and their happiness at work."

Are you surprised by this?