Generations at Work 013: Loyalty, Purpose, and Productivity: Generational Trends in the Workplace
Jul 15, 2025
Matt Randerson, a research leader at the Barna Group, dives into how evolving cultural trends are transforming the workplace. He reveals that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, prioritize workplace friendships and a sense of belonging amidst rising loneliness. Surprisingly, job satisfaction doesn't equate to loyalty, with a significant portion of younger workers open to leaving. Randerson emphasizes the need for relational care over pay and challenges both generations to evolve their views on purpose and well-being at work.
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Work Carries Extra Emotional Weight
- Work now carries social and emotional expectations previously held by other institutions.
- Employers increasingly serve as centers for belonging, not just economic provision.
Younger Generations Seek Workplace Belonging
- Younger workers desire workplace friendships that extend beyond tasks more than older cohorts.
- Many Gen Z and millennials say they'd work in an office more often to feel a greater sense of belonging.
High Satisfaction Masks Generational Gaps
- Overall job satisfaction is relatively high with seven in ten reporting satisfaction.
- Satisfaction varies by generation, with Gen Z lagging and many millennials reporting higher satisfaction.
