Can overworked boomers and millennials learn about office culture from Gen Z?

Call them entitled, but Gen Z has their work-life balance figured out. Here are their office demands

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a prevailing narrative emerged: the notion that Gen Z has embraced the virtual office with open arms. Yet, while this assertion may carry grains of truth, it does not tell the full story. A closer examination reveals a yearning among many young individuals to return to the physical office space. The Global 2022 Career Interest Survey provides valuable insight, with a mere 13 per cent of respondents expressing a preference for remotely handling essential job processes such as training and onboarding.

A new pattern

This pattern resonates in India, where the situation has notably stabilised post-pandemic. In cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, the shift from cosy hometowns to the urban workplace landscape entails relinquishing the comforts of home-cooked meals, perhaps a personal vehicle, and the luxury of minimal laundry chores. The transition represents a significant adjustment. For these individuals, the office beckons, drawing them in from their newfound remote work arrangements, offering a taste of communal workplace camaraderie they've been missing. In essence, they find themselves splitting their time between their corporate abode and the cherished comforts of home, often commuting to the office only a couple of days a week.

In search of a social life

In March, 23-year-old Abhishek Sinha decided to relocate from Kolkata to the bustling streets of Delhi, all in pursuit of his career in management consultancy—an opportunity that presented itself in September of 2022. Serendipitously, Sinha was relieved of the obligation to physically commute to the office, as his role permitted remote work. However, the sedentary nature of remote work left him yearning for meaningful human interactions.

Sinha expressed, "My workday stretches from 8 to 10 hours, with the faces of my colleagues reduced to avatars on my screen. Given that I had to complete my final semester virtually in 2020, continuing in a similar fashion with my professional commitments took its toll, leading to frustration."

For Sinha, the transition to Delhi represented more than just a change in location; it symbolised a conscious effort to regain a social life that had become elusive due to the remote nature of his work. "Several months have passed since my relocation. While the warmth of my hometown beckons, there is an undeniable charm in commuting to the workplace, even if it's just a few times a week. The remaining days offer a welcome break—an opportunity to reconnect with my childhood friends who reside in the city. It's a strategic compromise, one that benefits me on multiple fronts," he says. 

The Gen-Z notion of an office

As the pandemic started to abate, offices re-opened their doors. Curiously, most Gen Z professionals express a desire to return to the office environment, yet they remain hesitant, caught in a peculiar paradox. It's a situation rife with irony. What makes this even more intriguing is that these individuals, to some extent, find themselves uncertain about the boundaries of what constitutes 'home' and 'office.' They've abandoned their meticulously curated work-from-home setups in their hometowns and have relocated to their designated office towns, yet they seem reluctant to step foot into their actual offices. The question that naturally arises is, who or what is preventing them from doing so? What exactly is transpiring in this situation? What aspects of the office are they yearning for, and what might entice them to return?

The conundrum lies in the unspoken dynamics of this transitional phase. "Most of Gen Z haven't experienced the subtle nuances of office life, such as face-to-face interactions, impromptu brainstorming sessions, or the camaraderie that naturally emerges in a shared workspace. But they also long for clear boundaries between work and home life, which have become increasingly blurred during the era of remote work. The lingering uncertainties surrounding health and safety, coupled with the convenience of remote work, have cast a shadow over the return to the traditional office," says counsellor Jacintha C.

How to make a generation happy

To rekindle the allure of the office, it may require a thoughtful blend of flexibility, innovation, and an emphasis on the unique aspects of in-person work. Employers could consider hybrid work models that allow employees to choose their work settings based on individual preferences and job requirements. Creative office designs and amenities that enhance the workplace experience can also play a pivotal role. Moreover, fostering a sense of community and purpose within the office could be the missing link to draw these individuals back into the fold. Ultimately, striking the right balance between the comforts of remote work and the benefits of in-person collaboration will be the key to reinvigorating the office environment.

The perks 

Before you think it's flat-out hate for working from home, meet 25-year-old Srijita Mukherjea, a writer at a prominent quick commerce startup in Bengaluru, who is treading a different path from the prevailing sentiment. She has found contentment in her freelance lifestyle and has no inclination to trade it for conventional office life.

Mukherjea elaborates, "I genuinely believe that working from home while residing with family offers a notably smoother experience. Imagine being engrossed in an important office call, and the doorbell unexpectedly rings. In my case, I don't need to interrupt my work to answer it because I know my parents are there to assist. I receive my meals punctually, and I have the freedom to step out for a leisurely walk whenever it suits me. I highly doubt a roommate in a shared living situation in a different city would take the time to prepare and bring me freshly cut fruit."

For individuals like Mukherjea, working from home has become the standard rather than the anomaly. This raises an intriguing question: How can you long for something you have never truly encountered?

Moreover, the concept of weekends takes on a unique dimension for these professionals. While a weekend spent at home, relaxing and doing nothing, might be perfectly acceptable, the dynamic changes when they find themselves in a different city. "I have friends working in different cities, and they often feel guilty if they don't spend their weekends productively, attending meetups or mixers, or simply relaxing," she says, adding: "I don't think there are enough perks on offer to get me to clock into work daily. For one, the commute in Bengaluru is painful. I've given up on lucrative job offers because they've wanted me to come to work. I was open to dropping in once or twice or week but that idea didn't float with HR."  

Building a dynamic

Sushant C, a 23-year-old product design intern based in Mumbai, firmly believes in the value of hands-on experience from being in the office daily. He tells The Established that this physical presence at the workplace has been instrumental in his professional development. Through conversations with his managers, he has gained insights into their experiences working from home during the pandemic. "They have shared with me that they often felt isolated, with their focus primarily confined to specific modules or aspects of the company," he reveals.

Sushant emphasises the significance of receiving real-time feedback on his work, contributing significantly to his skill refinement. However, he has reservations about the prevailing culture of staying in the office beyond regular working hours. While he acknowledges the supportiveness of his seniors, he contends that there is an unspoken expectation for employees to remain in the office for as long as their superiors do. Sushant questions this practice, asserting that efficiency should be measured by what one accomplishes within the designated work hours rather than mere presence in the workplace. 

A safety net

Michelle Lazarus, a 25-year-old software engineer residing in Kolkata, highlights a critical aspect of remote work, particularly for women. She views work from home as a valuable safety net, providing a sense of security that can be essential. However, she points out that this safety net can be compromised when employees are compelled to partake in a façade of busyness while at the physical office.

Lazarus draws attention to the unnecessary delays and wait time associated with office hours, which can lead to cascading effects on the commute back home. These additional hours spent at the office can disrupt personal routines and potentially compromise safety, especially for those whose home environments may not be entirely secure. "I enjoy my free time and don't like taking work home. It pains my manager to agree to this, but she does. My parents tell me not to piss off my seniors but I don't care. I don't want to burn out by 30," she says. 

Growth chart

Many respondents featured in this story have expressed a strong desire for professional development and career advancement opportunities. They are particularly drawn to jobs offering clear promotion and benefits pathways. This sentiment is substantiated by a LinkedIn survey conducted in 2022, which revealed that 40 per cent of Gen Z workers would be willing to accept a five  per cent reduction in pay if it meant they could work in a role that provided robust career growth prospects.

Moreover, it's important to note that Gen Z is at the forefront of the ongoing Great Resignation phenomenon. According to a report from the talent acquisition site Lever, a substantial 40 per cent of employees across various age groups plan to leave their jobs within a year. However, this number escalates significantly to 65 per cent among Gen Z. This data underscores the urgency for companies to align their offerings with the expectations and aspirations of Gen Z workers to attract and retain talent in a highly competitive job market.

What are companies doing?

An HR officer at an e-commerce startup based out of Bengaluru, who wished to be quoted anonymously, says that when the company announced their work-from-anywhere policy a few months ago, there was a remarkable surge in job applications, with the number increasing by a staggering six times. "This substantial uptick in interest clearly demonstrates a considerable demand for the option of flexibility," he says. 

He says a significant preference emerged among younger employees, with an 61-39 split indicating that 61 per cent of them favoured continuing to work from home or having the flexibility to work from anywhere. "Imposing a requirement for employees to come to the office against their preferences could lead to various issues. First and foremost, it might negatively impact employee morale, as individuals may feel their choices and needs are not being considered. Employee engagement could also suffer, as employees may become disengaged or less motivated in a work environment that does not suit their preferences," he says. 

Furthermore, there could be tangible consequences for the organisation. For instance, attracting top talent might become more challenging if the company does not offer the flexibility many young employees seek in today's workforce, says the HR professional. This, in turn, could result in higher offer decline ratios and increased attrition rates. 

In 2023, the transformation of offices is trending towards resembling inclusive and non-alcoholic bars open to all at any time. These young professionals desire a profound sense of belonging most from these modern workspaces. They yearn to be part of something larger than themselves, relishing the opportunity to connect with their favourite colleagues, both peers and seniors, and perhaps indulge in the occasional complimentary lunch or two. These evolving office spaces are becoming hubs for work and vibrant communities that prioritise social cohesion and camaraderie. 

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