In a new study by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma, a staggering 60 percent of Gen Z respondents view traditional 9 to 5 jobs as “soul-sucking,” with 43 percent expressing no desire to pursue such employment at all.
The study shed light on the attitudes of Gen Z towards traditional 9 to 5 jobs and their motivations for seeking alternative career paths.
The study surveyed 2,036 adults aged 18 to 27 in the United States, reveals a significant shift away from conventional employment models among young Americans.
Instead, many are drawn to the FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early) movement, with 57 percent considering themselves part of this trend.
When asked about potential lifestyle changes to escape the 9 to 5 grind, respondents listed various measures, including cutting back on non-essential spending, working odd jobs, moving in with friends or family, or relying on a partner for financial support.
Some even expressed willingness to take on debt, quit without a plan, or deplete their savings.
Gen Z: Passion over perks
The study also highlights the willingness of Gen Z to forego traditional work perks in pursuit of their passions. Many indicated they would sacrifice corporate stock, work-life balance, salary, health insurance, and retirement contributions for their dream job.
“So often, generations are treated as a monolith when identifying core characteristics and tendencies,” said Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma.
Interestingly, the study revealed that dissatisfaction with traditional employment extends beyond mere financial concerns.
Many Gen Z workers cited negative impacts on mental health, unfulfilling work, lack of time for other pursuits, difficulty in setting boundaries, misalignment of values with employers, and aversion to authority as reasons for their discontent.
“While there’s no one-size-fits-all interpretation of Gen Z’s attitudes toward work culture, there’s no denying they’ve taken a different approach in how they show up in the workplace. For some, that means being more vocal about their expectations around work-life balance, compensation, mental health and company values,” Alev said.
“For others, it means ditching their 9 to 5 jobs to pursue a nontraditional career path. If you’re in the latter camp, I commend you, but also urge you to have a plan in place for your finances before you quit your job, namely making sure you have enough money saved to cover living expenses for up to six months, and securing health insurance. For instance, if your parents have a health insurance plan that covers dependents, you usually can be added to their plan until you turn 26.”
Despite the allure of financial stability, especially for those entering the job market, a significant portion of Gen Z finds corporate employment elusive, with more than a third struggling to secure such positions.
Of note is the phenomenon of “quiet quitting,” where individuals disengage from their jobs, doing the minimum required with minimal enthusiasm. This behaviour was particularly prevalent among respondents earning over $100,000 annually.
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