Adobe Surveys Generational Work Attitudes

Published 08 May 2023

Author
Nienke Creemers
2 min read

In its 2023 survey The Future of Time, American software company Adobe examines global employee attitudes. Meanwhile, its Future Workforce Study looks at Gen Z’s work preferences in the US. We explore the key takeaways.

  • Time Pressures: Although more companies are adopting flexible working hours, the majority of all age groups globally say they’re most productive during traditional hours (9am to 6pm). Younger employees are opting to work in the evenings, a choice enabled by the shift to flexible schedules. Twenty-six per cent of Gen Zers and 18% of millennials think they’re most productive between 6pm and 3am, compared with 13% of Gen Xers and 6% of boomers. Nevertheless, more than 60% of both Gen Zers and millennials feel they should adhere to traditional schedules.

    Knowing three quarters of younger employees would switch jobs for a better work-life balance, companies should initiate flexible schedules to retain talent, or even promote output-based productivity measurements. See more in our New Work-Life Patterns report.

 

  • Eliminating Everyday Efforts: Alongside flexibility, nine in 10 global employees also want tools that help to improve efficiency and eliminate routine tasks, such as file management, drafting contracts and processing payments. Among Gen Zers, 70% stated they would switch jobs to access better tools to support productivity, compared with 52% of Gen Xers and 37% of boomers. Learn more about cutting-edge productivity-boosting tools in The Future of Work: Virtual Work Worlds.

 

  • Youth’s Workplace Considerations: Although Gen Z employees are embarking on their professional lives during economic turbulence, 78% of American Gen Zers feel optimistic about the current labour market. However, 67% say that macroeconomic factors are influencing their job search with 55% researching a company’s financial outlook before applying for a role. Job security is increasingly important: 52% of US Gen Z want to work at a large company for financial security, while salary, work-life balance and benefits also rank high on their wish list.