Despite layoffs, work-life balance still top priority for Gen Z

Despite layoffs and a slowing job market, Generation Z employees are still prioritizing work-life balance, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 1.

As organizations scale back on hiring or cut jobs, some are cautioning potential new hires about the long hours — and lack of boundaries — ahead, the Journal reported. 

Younger workers remain “more detached” from their employers than older colleagues, a mindset shaped in part by remote work during the pandemic. For some Gen Z employees, recent layoffs have reinforced the view that loyalty to an employer is unlikely to be reciprocated.

“Even though the labor market is tougher, people are still feeling disconnected from their employers,” Jim Harter, chief scientist of workplace management and well-being at Gallup, told the Journal.

At least 87 hospitals and health systems across the U.S. have cut jobs so far in 2025.

More early-career professionals choose work-life balance over compensation as the most important factor when considering a full-time job, according to a recent survey of more than 1,100 interns at KPMG. 

Gen Z workers do not appear to fear that their emphasis on flexibility will jeopardize their employment, according to Marcie Merriman, founder of Ethos Innovation, which helps leaders decode generational differences. The cohort expects to be evaluated more on results than work or effort, she told the Journal.

“Gen X, when times get tough, when there’s uncertainty, when we have fear, what do we do?” Ms. Merriman said. “We work harder, we dig in more, we push, push, push, because that’s how we’ve been conditioned.”

Hospital and health system human resources leaders told Becker’s in August that Gen Z has taught them to emphasize work-life balance, the need for “work-life blend” and well-being, and a focus on mission-driven work.

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