Purpose and potential: are businesses falling short?

Perhaps more so than any other generation, Gen Z employees have a heightened desire for their work to be more than just work. They want meaning, purpose and alignment with their employers' values.

Purpose and potential: are businesses falling short?

Perhaps more so than any other generation, Gen Z employees have a heightened desire for their work to be more than just work.

They want to continuously learn, and to find a sense of purpose in what they do for a living.

However, businesses appear to be falling short, with only 28% of Gen Z feeling that the work they do is meaningful and brings out the best in them: a significantly lower percentage than in any other generation. Furthermore, a Gallup survey found Gen Z is the most disengaged at work of any generation (54%) and does not feel a close connection to their coworkers, manager or employer.

If younger employees aren’t being given work that aligns with their values and that utilises their skillset to its full potential, it’s unlikely they’ll be fully engaged in their role – resulting in them taking a more transactional approach to work until they find a better alternative. In fact, Gen Z is the generation most likely to say they’ll only bring their full potential to work if there’s something to be gained from it, with almost a third saying they only occasionally bring their full potential to their role.

1 in 5 Gen Z employees say they only work at their full potential when there's something to be gained

For organisations looking to identify and nurture high-potential talent, this poses a serious problem. If the younger members of the workforce aren’t engaged and aren’t bringing their best selves to work, how is it possible to identify those with the potential to be future leaders - and invest in developing the right talent?

Gen Zers are passionate about making a difference, and want to work somewhere they feel has a broader mission and purpose that aligns with their own values – 55% of respondents said a commitment to DEIB is extremely important when evaluating an employer.