Gen Zers Are Turning Down Jobs but Not Because of a Lack of Interest

Gen Z are finding their ambitions curbed by the rising cost of living and the expenses of taking on new roles. According to a new report in the UK for the Prince’s Trust annual NatWest Youth Index 2024, one in ten unemployed Gen Zer have turned down jobs due to the expense associated with it. Over half of the surveyed population who were aged between 16 and 25 said they were worried they’ll never be financially secure. 

The link between financial security and Gen Z’s job search issues may sound surprising at first, however, there appears to be a very real possibility that these individuals are limiting their job hunt due to their financial concerns.

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Gen Zers Are Turning down Jobs Dues to Commute Expenses and Other Work-Associated Costs

Among its myriad other effects, the cost of living crisis is also affecting how Gen Zers approach jobs. The survey suggests that the Gen Z population is turning down work due to the high expenses of commuting to the job or paying rent. They are also saying no to opportunities due to other expenses such as investing in work attire or work-appropriate uniforms that are an essential element of going to the office and maintaining said jobs. 

The choice might sound like a frivolous excuse to avoid working, but it does tie into why remote job opportunities are preferable to so many workers across the globe. These Gen Zer who are turning down job opportunities are well aware of the importance of finding work, both for their financial and mental stability. 

As per the survey, 75% of them said that having a job gives them a sense of stability and 69% are certain that finding work will help them get through the cost of living crisis, but they are still challenged by the task of obtaining and maintaining a post. Financial security remains a top priority for a majority of workers, but there is a pervasive sense of uncertainty about their ability to reach this goal. 

Young people’s confidence in the amount of money they have and in their employment has fallen considerably compared to past years and the last time these stats peaked was all the way back in 2009. The decline in confidence has a serious impact on the mental health of these workers, further affecting their ability to find work. Worse still, the longer they stay unemployed, the harder it is for them to find another opportunity.

Gen Z’s Job Search Issues Tie Into Their Mental Well-Being

The work commute expenses are only a small part of the much larger problems affecting Gen Z. One in five of these young workers report that they have missed work in the past year due to mental health issues. These mental health issues have prevented a large number of them from applying for jobs, attending interviews, or even asking for help with their CVs and cover letters. 

All of these issues have led to feelings of worthlessness for 41% of the respondents while 51% have felt hopeless about their future. The worry over money and their future inevitably makes their mental health worse, but the worse they feel, the more they struggle with finding work.

The cycle is hard to break out of, especially when we see other reports suggesting that employers are firing Gen Z workers more rapidly, with no places to rehire from that particular segment of the population.

The Nature of Work Is Changing, but Not at a Supportive Pace

The landscape of work is understandably dreary for everyone, but the young workers are at a particular disadvantage of being unwelcomed and feeling unprepared for the workplace. Under such circumstances, it’s little surprise that a growing number of newly minted adults are turning to the skilled trades instead of entering more corporate spaces like they are traditionally expected.

The arrival of AI and advanced automation on the scene has most workers worried, setting a precedent for change that no worker likes to see. In this ever-shifting stage of work, employers are the only ones who can set things back in order.

From providing more advanced and personalized training to creating a welcoming work environment for all its workers, employers are now going to have to take a close look at what their workforce needs. Eventually, it is these very Gen Z workers who are going to be left to join their organization, and unless employers decide to work with them, they will find themselves unable to maintain the scale of work they are currently used to. 

Flexible work systems are a great solution to the problem of Gen Zers turning down jobs due to the expense of taking them up, and if changes are made to meet them halfway, both the employer and employee can thrive. 

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