With Gen Z joining the workforce in recent years, looks like modern workplaces are getting a makeover and bosses everywhere need to listen up! Gen Zs, born between 1997 to 2012, aren’t chasing paychecks or employee-of-the-month plaques – instead, they want real growth opportunities. A new survey of 23,000 professionals across 80 industries by Naukri spills the beans on what makes Gen Z tick in corporate India. Spoiler: It’s not what millennials want! Read on to know more:Growth is kingImagine this situation: You’re a fresh graduate landing your first job. So, what keeps you hooked? 81% of Gen Z says growth opportunities is what they’ll prefer over any reward. And only 9% said that they would care about public or private appreciations at the workplace. Even cash bonuses barely register at 10%.Talking of cash rewards, entry-level Gen Zs, who earn less than INR 5 lakh per annum (LPA), shrug off money and only 8% prioritise it. Among the high-earning professionals, between the range of INR 15-25 LPA, only 28% crave those raises. Which shows that money is still prioritised by some– after all, bills don’t pay themselves!What Gen Z professionals really want57% of Gen Z links growth to skill-building, not just fancy titles or fatter checks. In creative fields like animation, design, and ads, roughly 78% agree that they want workshops, courses, ad mentorship over corner offices.Talking of mental health and red flags, 34% Gen Z workers blame poor work-life balance and 31% point to stagnant careers. Toxic coworkers and helicopter managers at office also top pains. This shows that Gen Z demands healthy vibes – no more burnout culture.Meanwhile, 14% of Gen Z plans to bounce within a year if growth stalls. What about millennials? Only 3%, as per the survey. This shows that Gen Z prefers switching jobs quickly if they feel stagnant at the workplace.Why this matters for India’s corporate jungleGen Z will make 40% of workforce by 2030, and so they are the future of work. This survey shows that they are now flipping the script. Old-school methods of employee recognition and rewards flop – they want future-proof skills, flexible hours, and mental health check-ins. Companies ignoring this? Watch talent switch to startups offering upskilling.What are your views on this change? Tell us in the comment section below.
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