No, Gen Z aren't lazy workers – they just don't want your jobs

It’s a classic Britishness that every generation bemoans the one that comes after. Phrases like ‘when we were kids’ or ‘you don’t know you’re born’ are familiar, I’m sure. The Gen X bosses that gave birth to Gen Z and infused values in them display this in frustrated tones and significant stats about high turnovers of young people in their organisations who have “no staying power”. They are missing the point.

Our research finds younger workers are standing up to companies and employers in a way that, frankly, Gen X are struggling to get their heads around.

This generation more than ever are concerned about climate change and environmental issues, mental health and wellbeing, data ownership and the housing ladder. For those with younger ones in their life, it’s not uncommon to be told “we are not eating in this restaurant” or “I am never going to buy from (insert name) again”. There are reasons. It is because they don’t pay their taxes, or have no gender equality data, or are exploiting children with their supply chain practices. Why then, would we be surprised to see this playing out in what jobs they are (and aren’t) prepared to do, and which companies they are prepared to work for?

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We’ve just released a study into Gen Z which reveals that young workers are looking to redefine the workplace. The findings are clear. For the majority of Gen Z employees, values such as green credentials, honesty, and social responsibility are as important as what they take home in their pay packet.

Our research shows that 42% of young workers have considered quitting their jobs because the company lacks social purpose or strong enough values. And 40% have actively turned down or avoided applying to companies they deemed unethical.

Work-life balance (63%) even edges out pay (62%) as a priority. Globally, the gap is even wider – 74% prioritise work-life balance over 68% who focus on pay, according to international recruitment company Randstad. These stats point to something deeper than a trend: they’re a wake-up call.

Should it be a surprise? When we think about the climate crisis, social inequality and economic instability (and let’s not even talk world politics) it’d be easy to sink into apathy. But Gen Z isn’t apathetic, and certainly isn’t lazy or “doesn’t know it’s born”.

Instead of criticising the behaviour of young people in workplaces that don’t meet their needs or fit their values, we need to create workplaces that do, by addressing the fundamental ethics at their heart.

It’s easy to dismiss young people as entitled or disloyal, but this isn’t about them – it’s about us. Our workplaces haven’t kept up with their values. Honesty, fairness, and social responsibility aren’t just ideals to this generation; they’re demands. And they’re rejecting jobs, and entire companies, that don’t align. Companies are battling away to be seen as ethical, while authenticity has become something of a business watchword… so is that authenticity (or more accurately lack of) coming back to bite.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Co-operatives offer a model that could inspire change. Member-owned and values-driven, co-operatives are businesses put people and planet ahead of profit. They give workers a voice, align with their ethics, and foster a sense of community. When we told young people about co-operatives, 94% said they would consider working for one. That’s not just curiosity; it’s an opportunity to rethink work and to rethink options.

If we’re serious about creating fairer, more sustainable workplaces, we need to listen to what young people are telling us. Embed values in every decision; make work about more than pay (while remembering that paying people fairly is important as well). The climate crisis, inequality, and rising costs aren’t challenges they’ll face tomorrow; they’re facing them today. Let’s meet their urgency with our own.

Young people aren’t just the workforce of the future. They’re here now, asking us to do better.

Rose Marley is CEO of Co-operatives UK.

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