Work Ethic of the Young NZ Workforce
The Work Ethic of the Young New Zealand Workforce
What are the values, beliefs and attitudes towards work from Gen Y and Gen Z?
Previous research suggests that millennial generations have low trust in traditional institutions and are sceptical about businesses’ motives. Ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility are important to them, and they expect organisations to align with their values or they are quick to leave their jobs. However, prior international academic research has also revealed contradictory findings about the work ethic of Gen Y and even less is known about Gen Z from a New Zealand perspective. This is even more the case with the current COVID-19 pandemic that especially disrupts young people’s lives and impacts their aspirations towards work and career.
A contemporary and more transparent picture of their work ethic—their values, beliefs, and attitudes towards work—is critical for business and government to be able to understand the young workforce, to attract and retain young talent and to build a resilient workforce for future challenges.