Deloitte Survey Reveals Changing Priorities Among Gen Z and Millennials
In a significant shift in workplace priorities, young workers today prioritize professional development and learning over aspiring to senior leadership positions. According to Deloitte’s Gen Z and Millennials 2025 survey, only 6% of the youngest workers aim to reach a senior leadership role in their careers.
Ambitious Yet Different Perspectives on Success
Despite this, young workers remain keen on personal and professional growth. Learning and development are among the top attractions for employers targeting Gen Z and millennial talent, just behind work-life balance and career advancement opportunities.
The Deloitte research highlights that younger generations are actively developing new skills, with 70% of Centennials focusing on acquiring new competencies to advance their careers, while 59% of Millennials share this focus.
Work-Life Balance Takes Center Stage
The survey reveals that work-life balance has become the second most important career priority for young workers, trailing only financial independence. It also ranks as the second motivating factor for seeking a new job.
“Their inclination to change jobs isn’t driven by a lack of loyalty. Many Gen Z and Millennials view it as a strategic move to seek stability, better work-life balance, a stronger sense of purpose, and opportunities for learning and skill acquisition,” the report explains.
Interconnected Career Priorities
Deloitte emphasizes that career priorities are interconnected. For instance, without financial security, younger generations are less likely to experience positive mental well-being and feel that their work is meaningful.
The consultancy stresses that balancing money, purpose, and well-being is crucial for attracting talent, reducing turnover, and boosting employee engagement in light of young workers’ evolving priorities.
Mental Health Concerns Amidst Young Workforce
Although around half of Gen Z and Millennials rate their mental well-being positively, mental health remains a significant social concern for these younger workers. Notably, Centennials rank mental health as their top concern, even surpassing issues like living costs and unemployment.
In the past year, stress levels among young employees have remained relatively stable, with approximately four in ten reporting feeling stressed most of the time. Over 30% attribute their stress to work.
Key Factors Influencing Stress and Anxiety
According to the report, modern workplace well-being is heavily influenced by several key factors: leadership behaviors, job and organizational designs, and work approaches.
Both Millennials and Gen Z identify long working hours and insufficient recognition for their efforts within the organizational environment as major stressors. Additionally, toxic work cultures, perceived unfair decision-making, and lack of time to complete tasks are also cited as sources of workplace stress and anxiety.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the primary career priorities for Gen Z and Millennials? Professional development and learning are more important than climbing the corporate ladder.
- Why are younger workers less interested in senior leadership roles? Their focus on work-life balance and personal growth leads them to view corporate ascension differently.
- What factors contribute to stress and anxiety among young employees? Long working hours, insufficient recognition, toxic work cultures, and perceived unfair decisions are key stressors.
- How do mental health concerns affect younger workers? Mental health is a significant concern, with work-life balance being the second most important career priority.
