Majority Gen Z employees feel job satisfaction is more important than salary, say work-life balance is crucial

• GenZ employees are expected to dominate the workforce soon
• Most employees say they want job satisfaction
• Employees also value work-life balance

Decades back, it was common for corporate employees to continue working at one place for their entire lives. Gradually, this started changing and people began switching jobs for career growth. Today, as GenZ is now a part of the workforce, the job-switch trend is commonplace. However, if you think that the younger generation is switching jobs just to get a better pay cheque, you might be wrong. According to a new survey, Gen Z employees feel job satisfaction is more important than a fat pay cheque. Moreover, for many Gen Z professionals, work-life balance has become the make-or-break factor.

The report also shows that almost half of them—47%, to be exact—are considering leaving their current jobs within the next two years, searching for something more fulfilling.

What does your GenZ employee want?

The study, carried out by the talent platform Unstop, surveyed over 5,350 Gen Z workers alongside 500 HR professionals to get a better picture of what this generation wants from the workplace. The study revealed that Gen Zers know what they value most in their careers.


77% of the respondents said that they would rather work for a company that offers growth and opportunities than settle for a higher salary. Almost half (43%) want jobs where they can get practical experience and develop new skills. And 72% say job satisfaction outweighs the need for bigger salaries.

Work-life balance is another critical factor. Nearly half (47%) of young professionals say it’s something they carefully consider when looking at new opportunities. For them, an ideal workday involves completing their tasks efficiently, without feeling overloaded, and leaving enough time for personal growth.

Recruiters misunderstanding GenZ priorities

The study also found out that HR teams often misunderstand these priorities. While 78% of Gen Z workers are switching jobs to boost their career growth, 71% of HR professionals assume it's mostly about higher pay. In reality, only 25% of Gen Zers see salary as the top motivator when changing jobs.

The survey also uncovered another key ambition for Gen Z: a clear career path with opportunities for advancement. While many recruiters (44%) believe that company culture is more important to Gen Z than career progression, the truth is that this generation seeks a mix of both—a positive work culture, but also a chance to climb the ladder.

Unstop’s report dives into more than just job-hopping. It touches on concerns about entering the job market, mental health expectations, and the distinct working styles of Gen Z, which move away from the "one-size-fits-all" approach of older generations.


"For the youngest generation in the workforce, work isn't just a place you go to every day to get your account credited regularly. It has to fit into several key aspects of your life seamlessly," Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Unstop, said as per a PTI report. He added, "They (Gen Z) are reminding us that work should be a part of life, and not the other way around... It's a call to action for employers and recruiters. Those employers who adapt to these fast-changing expectations will be preferred by the new generation of employees."

GenZ growing at the workplace

Gen Z is also on the cusp of becoming a dominant force in the global workforce. By 2025, they’re expected to make up 27% of workers worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum. Adobe predicts this number will grow to 30% by 2030.

In fact, Gen Z is projected to outnumber Baby Boomers in the workplace as early as this year (2024). A Glassdoor report recently said that by the end of this year, Gen Z workers will surpass Baby Boomers in numbers within the U.S. workforce.