Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each with its own vision of what a fulfilling career looks like. Younger workers in particular are looking for a workplace that offers flexibility and aligns with their values of being open, inclusive and authentic.
Yet despite these now widely recognised expectations, many employees still struggle to find a workplace that meets their needs. Nearly half of workers aged 16 to 34 feel like the 'odd one out', with one in four planning to switch jobs within six months if their expectations aren’t met.
With this generation projected to make up nearly a third of the workforce by 2030, and over a third of businesses already struggling to hire and retain talent, it’s clear that traditional approaches to employee engagement are no longer enough. Employers must rethink how they attract and motivate their people. One of the most effective ways of doing this is by building a culture of experimentation, where innovation thrives and is embedded into the employee experience.
Read more: Half of Gen Z workers experience a generational divide at work
The reality is that few people, especially younger professionals, enter the workforce hoping to spend their days on repetitive tasks. Fortunately, advances in automation and AI mean that most no longer have to – providing their employer is willing to invest in new tools.
By using technology to remove the most tedious parts of a job, businesses can free up employees to focus on strategic and creative work. Now, that’s not just good for productivity and business growth, it’s good for employee fulfilment, giving people a greater sense of purpose and contribution. In turn, this boosts employee satisfaction and engagement which are key factors that help employers retain top talent.
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At the same time, flexibility continues to be a top priority for younger employees and hybrid working has become a baseline requirement for many. However, this shift comes with its challenges, including a noticeable communication gap due to a lack of close, in-person learning and mentorship. Younger generations and new employees are missing out on organic learning opportunities that only come from being there in person, so striking the right balance is key.
Offices should be used and designed intentionally for collaboration and culture; meanwhile, remote working will always be a great support for focus and better work/life balance. When the balance is achieved and combined with tailored development and growth plans for employees’ careers, flexibility becomes a powerful tool for retention.
Read more: "Work must work for all ages and generations"
To truly embed innovation into workplace culture, companies can go a step further by creating structured programmes and flexible frameworks that encourage continuous experimentation. This could include pilot programmes for new tools, or simply dedicated time to experiment with new tools and ideas. Giving employees this space and opportunity empowers them to take ownership of their roles and careers, sending a strong signal that their input matters and curiosity is valued.
Businesses have no choice but to pivot and cater to the demands of the new workforce. Those that embrace flexibility and experimentation will be front-runners in employee engagement and retention. More importantly, they’ll be best placed to build agile and motivated teams that are equipped to shape the future of work.
By Steve Hunt, chief people officer at Tipalti
