What people are "chasing" at work is changing

Article by HR Daily (28 January 2025)

The decreasing influence of Baby Boomers and Gen X in society, and the workplace, is an important trend for employers to consider in their engagement and retention strategies, research suggests.

"This year... for the first time ever, Millennials and Gen Z are going to outnumber older voters," noted futurist Dr Ben Hamer, when speaking to HR Daily recently about his 2025 Future of Work Outlook.

"When you think about what that gradual shift means in organisations as well, it means some of those values of younger generations coming through have more and more influence, or play out more prevalently as well."

Specifically, Hamer says, "this includes people who are looking for purpose and impact and who want to feel like they're making a difference and that their job is contributing to something bigger – that they're not just processing documents or picking up a phone and doing things that they feel could otherwise be automated".

Employers' retention efforts need to reflect these new priorities, he says.

When the market gets to a point where employees are "a little bit more confident" they can pay their rent or mortgage, he says, they may well "make the jump and chase purpose, impact, whatever it might be".

Workplace culture risks

Hamer observes another key trend among younger workers: "People aren't chasing managerial titles like they used to be; they're not chasing status like they used to."

This could have serious consequences for engagement and culture, he says.

"You potentially could have, in the future, a whole cohort of leaders and managers who are driven by status and ego," he explains.

"I think what it will mean, though, is that organisations will have to rethink how they approach and look at career pathways," Hamer says.

To continue retaining valued members of younger generations, he also advises finding ways to cut and reduce red tape, to make people's jobs easier so they can focus on doing good work.

In a further article, Hamer also shared insights on reducing burnout risks, and the obstacles HR practitioners are likely to face in this area. 

Note:  HR Daily is a subscription service.  To subscribe visit https://www.hrdaily.com.au/subscribe