Resource type: Report
The Gen Z and the City: Restoring balance between generations report marks the first phase of a partnership between Cumberland Lodge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
For the first time in history, we have up to four generations in the workforce at the same time, increasing the possibility of tensions and conflict arising from generational differences. The Gen Z and the City report aims to explore and understand these differences, with a focus on bridging gaps and overcoming misunderstandings.
The key findings from the Gen Z and the City report are listed below, and are expanded on in full in the report. The report is available to read on screen and download below.
Key findings
The Gen Z and the City report argues for a more balanced understanding of generational differences that considers the economic, political, and social changes that have affected various age groups. It highlights the importance of creating more opportunities for dialogue between generations to restore balance and foster a more inclusive work environment. Expanded on in the report, its key findings include:
- Gen Z began their careers in a landscape dramatically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a shift to remote work and economic instability. These changes have influenced their expectations and approaches to work.
- While there are advantages to remote and flexible working, it poses a challenge to the development of intergenerational interactions. The office can provide a space for generations to encounter each other in order to create a better understanding of different values and workplace practices.
- Precarity and inequality, that has widened since the 1960s, impacts the relationship between generations, raising questions of inter-generational justice and informing Gen Z attitudes, politics, and values.
- The use of online platforms for work contributes to the perception of Gen Z as entrepreneurial, navigating traditional career paths while exploring other opportunities or ‘side hustles’ (Christian, 2023; Parker, 2022; Walsh & Black, 2021).
- Gen Z are embedding mobility into their lives and wants to continue learning through different life and work experiences, but this may be perceived by older generations as a lack of loyalty or commitment.
- Gen Z’s focus on work-life balance may not be evidence of this generation being ‘selfish or self-centered’ but rather of “a generation that has grown up in an out-of-control world” trying to regain a sense of control (Onesto, 2022, p. 51).
- The importance of work-life balance for Gen Z is partly a response to the instability and unpredictability they have witnessed, such as economic recessions, global crises, a climate emergency, and rapid technological change. The desire for balance is a way of maintaining mental health and personal wellbeing, but may be perceived by older generations as laziness or entitlement.
- The impact of AI and digital technologies on the workplace could provide an opportunity for inter-generational dialogue and reverse mentoring: younger generations bring their digital skills, while older generations bring their interpersonal and management experience.
- Gen Z are more accustomed to bringing their ‘whole self’ to work, including their values, and they want their employers to align with these values. In contrast, some older generations in the workplace may perceive these issues as outside the remit of the institutions they work for.
- Gen Z are more likely to voice their discomfort or displeasure around practices and language viewed as discriminatory. This applies to gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. This outspokenness may lead to tensions with older generations. However, rather than thinking of Gen Z as an homogenous cohort, there is evidence of divergences in values particularly related to gender: young women appear more likely to hold ‘progressive’ or ‘liberal’ values while young men can be more likely to hold more ‘conservative’ values.
- While the gender pay gap is relatively small for younger workers, it widens with age and experience, particularly among Boomers. This disparity highlights the ongoing issue of gender inequality in the workplace and the need for continued efforts toward pay equity.
Cumberland Lodge Programme
If you would like to learn more about the Gen Z and the City project, or about our other charitable work, you can find out more on the Our Programme page, linked via the button below. You can also contact our Programme Team directly by emailing programmeteam@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk.