We don’t know yet how many companies will opt for an alternative working model after the pandemic, but jobs platform Tallo is confident that the Gen Z response to remote working will be a deciding factor. As the future leaders of the workplace, it says, and the first digitally native talent pool to enter the workforce, flexibility is a priority for the younger generation.
In an effort to know more about young people’s perceptions of remote working, Tallo recently surveyed 850 college students. Of that number, 63pc said they would accept a role that is primarily virtual, 86pc said they would feel just as productive in a remote role and 74pc said they’d prefer a job with both remote and in-person opportunities.
We spoke to Tallo’s co-founder and CEO, Casey Welch, to learn more. He believes that remote work will become a much more common practice going forward.
“We’ve all seen the headlines of the big tech companies who have committed to staying remote indefinitely, but there are also plenty of smaller and mid-sized companies who have been persuaded by the benefits of having a remote workforce,” he said. “In addition to having smaller physical offices and lower overhead costs, companies are also able to drastically increase the size of their talent pool.
“If a recruiter isn’t requiring employees to live within driving distance of an office, they’ll increase their chances of finding employees who will be the exact right fit for the roles they’re hiring for.
Gen Z’s ‘surprising reaction’
According to Welch, the reaction Gen Z has had to remote working is surprising. He said: “In short, they’re not fully on board. Before the pandemic, I would have guessed that Gen Z’ers would be the first group to embrace the chance to have an entirely virtual work experience.”
The fact that almost three-quarters of respondents to Tallo’s survey said they’d prefer a job that offers both remote and in-person opportunities, he said, is telling.
“Despite this younger generation’s comfort with technology and virtual connections, they are very clearly looking for a work environment that would allow them to have face-to-face interactions with their colleagues. I believe that this is heavily due to their desire to network and make meaningful connections.”
“Generation Z values mentorship, and their keen understanding of the importance of networking has increased over the past year. At the end of 2019 and again in August 2020, we asked Gen Z’ers how important it is to them to establish connections with employers even if they don’t have an immediate job opening.
“Six months into the pandemic, the percentage who responded that establishing those connections is ‘very important’ increased from 59pc to 81pc.”
Listening to the Gen Z response to remote working
When companies are strategising for how they’ll work after the pandemic, Welch advised “taking a page out of Generation Z’s book”.
“In a recent Tallo survey, members of Generation Z reported that the number one soft skill they developed during the Covid-19 pandemic was adaptability,” he said.
“This future generation has been heavily impacted by the pandemic; they’re graduating high school, navigating college and entering the workforce amidst unprecedented changes. They’re navigating this turbulence by being flexible and adapting to new realities, which is something I’d encourage employees and employers alike to focus on.”
Click to enlarge. Infographic: Tallo
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