Gen Z expects more than just a paycheck. They want flexibility.
Emily, a 24-year-old marketing professional living in Austin, Texas, is a digital native who grew up with the internet at her fingertips and, like most of her peers, doesn’t remember a time when remote work wasn’t possible. But then came the email. When her company announced a return-to-office mandate — a decision that was sudden and non-negotiable. She handed in her resignation, despite having enjoyed her role!
Emily, like millions of her Gen Z peers across the world, is making similar choices: choosing flexibility over tradition, autonomy over control, and work-life balance over rigid office culture. This exodus of young talent sends a clear message to businesses: Gen Z expects more than just a paycheck.
While the remote-first policy is too important to give up for this generation, a growing number of companies — especially legacy ones — are pushing for a return to the office. This dissonance between business leaders and their youngest employees is about to become a problem. According to a 2024 report from Gallup, 54% of Gen Z employees prefer remote or hybrid work setups, citing the ability to balance personal and professional lives as their top reason. A report by McKinsey also highlighted that 63% of Gen Z consider a company’s remote work policy important, as it significantly reduces carbon footprints by minimising the need for commuting and office space, aligning with Gen Z’s environmental values. Oh yes, Gen Z cares!
The great divide: Why Gen Z is not going back to the office
Here’s the rub: Gen Z sees things differently. To them, the rigid office model feels outdated and counterproductive. The cost of commuting, the lack of flexibility, and the pressure to conform to outdated office norms have become serious turn-offs. This generation has experienced the benefits of working remotely, and many aren’t willing to give that up.
Take Amazon, which recently demanded that employees return to the office at least three days per week. Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, explained that being physically present in the office was essential for fostering collaboration. While this move might seem logical to senior leadership, it alienates a large swath of the younger workforce, who view this mandate as an encroachment on their autonomy.
In contrast, companies like Twitter (now X) and Shopify have embraced permanent remote work policies. Twitter’s CEO, Elon Musk, in particular, made headlines when he told employees they were expected to work from the office, but the backlash was swift. Gen Z employees — who make up a significant portion of the tech giant’s workforce — voiced their frustration on social media, with many calling out Musk’s policies as “tone-deaf” to the needs of a new generation.
This divide is growing, and businesses that fail to adapt may find themselves at a disadvantage. A PwC survey from 2023 found that 64% of Gen Z employees would consider leaving a job that did not offer the flexibility to work remotely. This trend is only going to accelerate as Gen Z becomes a larger part of the global workforce.
The fallout: So, what happens if companies ignore these preferences and force Gen Z employees back into the office? The answer is simple: They’ll lose out. According to a Deloitte study, 40% of Gen Z employees said they would quit their jobs within the next two years if their employer didn’t offer remote or hybrid work options. Gen Z wants to work in a way that aligns with their values, and for many, that means flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to work from anywhere.
As more businesses insist on a return to the office, they risk alienating a generation that values personal freedom over traditional work structures. If companies don’t pivot quickly, they may face higher turnover, a demotivated workforce, and a tarnished employer brand.
The Bottom Line: Gen Z is the future of work — and businesses need to adapt.
