The debate over which generation has the strongest work ethic is finally over with new data revealing Millennials and Generation Z are lazier when it comes to their jobs than their Gen X and Boomer counterparts.
Blended working habits and a lower-than-usual unemployment rate have contributed to younger employees adopting a more laid-back approach to their job, a survey by Immigration to Australia found.
An independent panel of 1,002 Australians was asked to evaluate their post-pandemic work habits, in a bid to understand how their attitudes have changed since returning to the office post-pandemic lockdowns.
One-third of respondents between ages 18 and 30 admitted they’ve adopted a more relaxed perspective toward their jobs due to the unemployment rate dipping, with 77 percent having no intentions of reverting to their pre-COVID ways anytime soon.
Meanwhile, younger Australians are also more likely to take an hour off “here and there” when working from home, with 14 percent of those under age 34 admitting to the habit.
The prospect of 195,000 immigrants coming to Australia each year also didn’t deter respondents who felt their work ethic was good and wouldn’t see them replaced by migrants.
“It is interesting to see the number of young Australians unconcerned about the job competition, particularly when faced with the challenges of rising living costs,” said Alon Rajic, founder and managing director of Immigration to Australia.
“However, to enhance productivity, invigorate Australian businesses, and foster healthy competition, it is essential for everyone to strive towards pre-pandemic production levels.”
“This becomes increasingly important as competition for roles is increasing in line with increased migrant worker numbers.”
The younger generation’s easygoing approach hasn’t deterred Gen X and Boomer employees from maintaining their unwavering dedication to their roles, with almost nine in 10 older-generation employees motivated to work with strong work ethics.
Those above age 55 also said they were less demanding in their work entitlements compared to the younger generations and were more likely to engage with their colleagues.
Boomers have their birthdays between 1955 and 1964, whereas those born in the Gen X era have birth years between 1965 and 1980. This is followed by Millennials with birthdays between 1981 and 1996 and Gen Z being 1997 to 2012.
Why Millennials and Gen Z are so laid-back
A dwindling unemployment rate is one reason young workers don’t see it as necessary to go above and beyond for their workplace, the survey suggested.
The unemployment rate sits at 3.6 percent for May, a 1 percent decrease from April, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suggesting there are more jobs available than skilled workers who are able to fill them.
Because of this, younger generations are aware there are plenty of opportunities to move around, particularly in hospitality and trade roles where the demand for workers is high.
Meanwhile, more dedicated and cash-strapped workers are using the influx in job positions to secure a second or even third job as they battle the rising cost of living.
A second reason younger generations have adopted a more casual approach to their jobs is to avoid burnout.
New modeling by researchers at Macquarie University’s Business School has suggested the pension age should increase to 70 by 2050 due to low birth rates and an aging population.
A pension age increase like this will see younger Australians working for much longer than their Boomer counterparts.
Overall, Rajic said there’s been a shift in motivations and priorities across the different generations.
“Older generations have traditionally been driven by a strong focus on career advancement, striving to get ahead of the game,” he said.
“Having experienced several recessions, (they) value success in their work lives, including career progression and job stability.”
Meanwhile, he added, Gen Z and Millennials were more work-life balance-focused, and are “motivated to succeed in multiple areas of their lives.”
“It is important for organizations to recognize and accommodate their expectations by establishing an environment that supports personal growth alongside work-life balance,” Rajic said.
“It is only once businesses understand these motivations that they can better engage and retain talent across generations.”