APRIL - MAY 2024TELECOM BUSINESS REVIEW8In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have been reckoning with the new way - not only where, but when and in what way- of how their employees want to work and be productive. At the top of the list is the employee experience and how to position themselves to be ready for tomorrow's workplace. Working with the London School of Economics, Vodafone Business commissioned its "Fit for the Future Report," surveying 2,526 companies, including 300 in the United States, to identify how they are managing their organizations in light of these technological and social changes impacting the workplace, preparing themselves to be "fit for the future."Surprisingly, the survey shows a stark generational divide in employee expectations, led by Generation Z. As the newest addition to the workforce, many Gen Z-ers started their careers during the pandemic and have yet to accumulate years of work experience to understand just how unique and unprecedented the last two years have been. Still, Gen Zers were most vocal in their desire for work flexibility and technological opportunities.Greater flexibility in where we workSixty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents expect greater flexibility in where they choose to work, compared to 47% of Millennials and 32% of the Boomer generation. Over the past two years, unprecedented levels of flexibility in when, where, and how we work became the norm as companies adjusted their business models to accommodate remote and hybrid work. In fact, 89% of `Fit for the Future' businesses had established digital transformation roadmaps that included increased connectivity for their employees to excel in an all-remote work setting.Gaining more autonomy in recent years, employees see great value in being able to choose where they work and the majority of Gen Z expect this to continue throughout their careers.Boundaries and limitations around working hoursThe pandemic didn't just change people's views of where they choose to work, but when. Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents expect boundaries and limitations around working hours, in contrast to 44% of Millennials and only 26% of Gen X. Older generations are fairlyused to working extensive hours a day to complete projects and meet deadlines, understanding the career advancement opportunities often associated with overextending yourself. Gen Z, however, places more value on personal growth and wants to be free to create their own work style and not just adopt the one laid out by previous generations. The remote work model, therefore, allows Gen Z to easily navigate between their personal NEW STUDY HIGHLIGHTS GENERATIONAL DIVIDE IN EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONSDavid Joosten, Director Americas & Partner Markets, Vodafone Business Inc.ByDavid JoostenIN MYOPINION
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