Thank you dear subscribers, we are overwhelmed with your response.
Your Turn is a unique section from ThePrint featuring points of view from its subscribers. If you are a subscriber, have a point of view, please send it to us. If not, do subscribe here: https://theprint.in/subscribe/
L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyam’s comment about the need for a 90-hour work week for employees has sparked massive uproar across social media, news channels, and within office floors in India. He has been criticized by business leaders, working professionals, journalists, and others for his statement. His remark echoes one made by Mr. Narayana Murthy, last year.
While both dignitaries are highly respected figures in the corporate world, who contributed significantly in their companies success, but they seem out of touch with the realities of today’s workplace dynamics, which are increasingly being dominated by thinking of Gen-Z workforce (born between 1997 and 2012).
Both Mr. Murthy and Mr. Subrahmanyam belong to a generation that viewed work as worship. They had fewer distractions—no smartphones, no social media, limited travel options, and fewer options for leisure experiences. Most importantly, they loved and enjoyed their work.
The subsequent generation, Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) saw an employment boom in 2000s as many MNCs entered Indian market with plentiful opportunities. This era saw rise of modern offices with five-star facilities being built across Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai. Millennials worked hard and were rewarded with decent salaries, thereby driving middle-class aspirations and ambitions.
But with advent of smartphones and social media in later part of 2000s bought about a change in workplace. This new wave of tech revolution had the biggest impact on Gen-Z, who became highly adept in using these devices and platforms from an early age.
Gradually, workplace dynamics began shifting as conversations increasingly revolved around platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Twitter (now X), and Instagram. Everyone wanted to engage with these platforms, create content, and share their lives. It also created new career opportunities in the form of podcasting, blogging, video editing, graphic design, content creation, and influencing.
Pandemic further prompted workforce to explore alternative career options using these platforms, while working from home.
Gen-Z Perspective on Work
Gen-Z employees think differently, they are upfront about their choices, digitally skilled, and want to work for companies that are socially responsible.
- Transactional Mindset: Gen-Z employees often ask, “What’s in it for me?” They are willing to work long hours but expect equivalent compensation. They openly express dissatisfaction with pay disparities and are well-informed—thanks to social media and network of friends in other companies. Employers will need to address pay structure discrepancies and find new ways to retain talent.
- Multiple Career Aspirations: Gen-Z doesn’t want to be confined to a single career. They want to pursue alternative interests like travel blogging, food blogging, video editing, content design, dancing and more. They are also socially more responsible and want to contribute to betterment of society. Employers must help employees pursue these interests alongside their primary roles.
- Work-Life Balance: Gen-Z values a balance between life and work. While they are willing to work hard, they do not idolize work. They prioritize attending family events like weddings, birthdays, and dinners. They also demand flexibility to pursue their travel goals.
Adapting to the Inevitable
There are multiple distractions that make it difficult for employees to now focus 100% on their day job, which also states India’s declining workforce productivity. Employers cannot enforce their own beliefs or work culture on new generation. Like it or not, Gen-Z will form the largest segment of the workforce over next 20 years. Rather than dismissing their demands, it is crucial for employers to adapt and find solutions that align with Gen-Z’s expectations and increase work productivity.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint