Gen Zers Prefer Onsite Work To Remote Work

Despite mainstream media painting the picture that first-time employees are more likely to want increased locational flexibility, a recent poll shows that Gen Z workers prefer to work onsite.

A recent survey from youth trend research firm Generation Lab discloses that 40% of university students and recent graduates opt for fully in-office work, with 39%  seeking hybrid positions and only 19% vouching for a fully remote set-up.

Data regarding Gen Z work is often contradictory. Another recent survey conducted by workforce engagement platform TenSpot, reveals that 30% of Gen Z employees want to work remotely full-time, as against the 19% in the Generation Lab report. Moreover, a SkyNova poll of 1,000 workers revealed that 47% of Gen Zers prefer on site employment.

Still, the number of Gen Zers opting for fully on site positions is much higher than other generations, most especially their Baby Boomer counterparts, with the latter by far being the most likely to opt for a remote work set up. 

Another survey by Axios reveals that 66% of young employees prefer in-person feedback from their manager and 45% of respondents are wary about having a distraction-free workplace in a remote or hybrid set up in the future. On the other hand, more than half of millennials and Gen Xers, who are most likely juggling responsibilities like childcare and maintaining a home, prefer a hybrid or fully remote set up.

All in all, though many may assume that these digital natives prefer to thrive in the nature of remote work, it is clear that Gen Z prefers human connection and a sense of direction in the workplace. Thus, having a portion of the physical workplace experience via implementing a hybrid work set up or having certain meetings and learning opportunities in-person — will most likely be welcomed by employees in their twenties. 

For more information, read the original story in ZDNet.