Gen Z are more likely to speak out than older generations when work practices do not align with their values, a new report from Cumberland Lodge and St Paul’s Cathedral highlights.
The ‘Gen Z and the City report’ was launched at an event at the cathedral last night with a panel discussion of key findings.
The report, authored by PhD candidate in the Department For Education Lynsey Robinson, has a particular focus on the UK’s finance sector, with many large firms headquartered just a stone’s-throw from St Paul’s in the City of London.
Findings from the report also highlighted Gen Z’s entry into the workforce and how it was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with remote work, disruption, and economic instability influencing their expectations.
While flexible work offers benefits, it was found in the report to limit intergenerational interactions that help bridge workplace values.
Gen Z’s focus on work-life balance is often misunderstood as self-centeredness, but is actually an attempt to regain a sense of control following the instability at the start of their careers.
The report also found that Gen Z are entrepreneurial, exploring non-traditional career paths and side hustles, and they expect employers to align with their values, including on inclusivity and social justice.
It was found that this can create tensions with older generations, though it also opens opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, especially with artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Panellists at the event included, Cumberland Lodge’s Programme Director Professor Melissa Butcher, joined by Nadia Minors, Head of Compliance at Vocalink, Clement Hutton-Mills, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Non-Executive Chapter Member and Lay Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral, and Yunus Alom and Katerina Karamani representing Gen Z.
Download a full copy of the report from our Gen Z and the City resource page.
Photography by Graham Lacdao.