GenZ in India rewriting workplace norms by prioritising pay, flexibility, purpose

Traditional single full time job seems to be a passe now, when it comes to GenZ’s preference. Young professionals in India are choosing careers that combine pay, flexibility, and purpose, while showing less interest in traditional long-term roles. This GenZ was born between 1997 and 2007. And this has been substantiated by a recent study by Randstad India.

If Randstad India’s ‘The GenZ Workplace Blueprint’ Report is anything to by, 43 per cent of GenZ in India prefer a full-time job with a side hustle, vs. only 16 per cent, who want a single full-time role.

GenZ in India is actually rewriting workplace rules by prioritizing pay, flexibility, and purpose over traditional long-term jobs. Interestingly, this GenZ, according to social scientists, is a generation that values financial security, but equally demands autonomy, adaptability, and alignment with personal values. Little wonder therefore, that better pay, flexible hours, and work-life balance are stronger retention drivers than traditional perks for GenZ.

Randstad India, a leading talent company, on its parts, feels that GenZ is reshaping the workplace with a rare blend of ambition, confidence, and adaptability. They want to grow fast, learn continuously, and embrace new challenges but they are equally uncompromising about their expectations. For them, compensation and financial stability are a given, but true engagement comes from flexibility, purpose, and opportunities to upskill.

Nearly 38 per cent of Gen Z plan to stay less than a year in their current jobs, showing higher mobility than other generations.

When it comes to picking the ideal job, pay remains the top priority (29 per cent), followed closely by flexibility in location (23 per cent) and flexible working hours (15 per cent). As high as 94 per cent of Gen Z in India consider long-term goals when evaluating opportunities.

Significantly, Indian Gen Z is redefining their career paths by seeking blended career paths way more compared to their global counterparts, seeking a balance between stability and entrepreneurial freedom.

For these youngsters, compensation and financial stability are a given, but true engagement comes from flexibility, purpose, and opportunities to upskill.

Unlike previous generations, GenZ is not about tenure, it is about employers who invest in their growth and respect their need for balance. This shift is not a challenge, but an opportunity for organizations to evolve. Employers who embed lifelong learning, inclusive cultures, and flexible policies will not just attract and retain Gen Z talent- they will build resilient, future-ready businesses.

Having said all these, one must also remember that this overwhelming preference for a ‘full-time job with a side hustle’ has other significant connotations. It is a clear signal to the technology industry. They are a generation of digital natives who see technology as an enabler for both professional stability and entrepreneurial freedom. For those who are in the digital space, this translates to an urgent need to build roles that offer not just cutting-edge technology exposure, but also the flexibility and avenues for continuous AI-led upskilling they demand. Companies that actively foster this blend of technical excellence and personal autonomy will secure the next generation of top tech talent.

With GenZ set to comprise a growing share of India’s workforce, all these underline the urgent need for companies to evolve talent strategies, workplace culture, and employee engagement models to keep pace with changing expectations.