POV: Changing work attitudes among younger workers can be a good thing

With manpower shortages coinciding with a renewed focus on work-life balance post pandemic, it is no surprise that employers are struggling to hire younger workers. 

It has led to some business owners bemoaning the lack of motivation from some of these Gen Z and millennial workers to work hard.

But are younger workers indeed less hardworking?

To be fair, differences in attitudes between younger and older generations towards work are not new.

But these attitudes have been made more pronounced due to the times we live in — young people are re-evaluating their priorities following the pandemic. 

Flexible work arrangements too have shown how there are more ways for work to be done than traditional deskbound roles. 

Also, my interviews with several young workers showed they are not unwilling to work hard, but simply unwilling to work hard solely for one employer their entire life. 

There are various possible reasons. Some are keen to start their own businesses, while others are passionate about working for a cause rather than a boss. 

There are those who believe in the “hustle culture”: rather than work for one employer, they want to work side gigs as well. 

In a nutshell, what younger workers want is to find work they believe in doing and can give their best for.

What does this mean for employers? Well, they should recognise this desire, and do what they can to get the best out of it.

Instead of assuming that these employees will be loyal to the company, employers need to ask how they can provide a more diverse set of work experiences for their workforce.
 
Employers should also see it positively that employees who are keen to take on side gigs are willing to work hard and fully utilise their time and resources — a trait that is surely valuable in any workplace.

But young people, like myself, also need to know when to rein it in.

We have to be cognisant that while the current labour shortage means it is a good time to pick and choose a job that is an ideal fit, these conditions may not last. 

Should a recession hit, we need to learn to see the best in our existing jobs or roles and learn to squeeze as much value as we can from these experiences.

This is what many have done during the last two years when the pandemic crippled the economy.

There is no reason that young workers cannot weather another storm, should push come to shove.