Gen Z employees place high value on a healthy work-life balance.
Employers are firing Gen Z employees within months of hiring them. According to a survey undertaken by Intelligent.com, the reason comes down to initiative – 50% of the 966 companies surveyed said Gen Z workers lacked motivation.
Similarly, according to the World of Work for Generation Z in 2025 report, working with Gen Z is “difficult”.
On the flip side, studies show that this generation isn’t so much lacking in initiative as struggling with workplace uncertainty - and in South Africa, this presents an opportunity.
The Deloitte 2026 Global Survey of more than 22 000 Gen Zers and millennials across 44 countries revealed that only 25% of Gen Z prefer fast-paced career progression. Most enjoy gradual growth or lateral moves as they build expertise, and opt for stability over performative ambition. They are cautious and recognise that leadership comes with well-being trade-offs that they’re not entirely comfortable with making.
