Episode: 488

Episode Title: Balancing Flexibility and Connection

For Gen Z, there’s a delicate balance between flexible work and staying connected on a social level with coworkers. Here’s why, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 488 show:

Hello and welcome to The Perna Syndicate! Flexibility has become a workplace imperative for employees of all generations. In this area, as in so many others, Gen Z operates as a benchmark for the rest of the workforce, with 81% saying flexibility is important to them. 

But here’s the twist. According to Gen Z, flexibility is a lot more than just working from home. It’s a whole mindset about how and when the work gets done.

For Gen Z, flexibility doesn’t necessarily mean 100% remote work. The TalentLMS study found that in-person social interactions with their colleagues are valued by 7 in 10 Gen Z workers. Almost 6 in 10 believe socialization is also important in the virtual work environment. 

For many young workers who launched their careers after March 2020, remote work is the only work they know. This may be why a startling 73% of Gen Z workers report feeling alone sometimes or always, and 44% agree that remote work can make them feel lonely and disconnected.

Feelings of loneliness and disconnection can hurt any worker, not just Gen Z. Balancing flexibility and employee connections can make a big difference in how your company experiences the Great Resignation. 

Tomorrow: Gen Z is eager to move up the ranks, but they want to truly earn those promotions by advancing their skills. On the next episode of The Perna Syndicate, we’ll talk about what this means for the future of work. See you then!