Saving Tens of Millions with Benefits... Australian Gen Z Says "High Pay Without Welfare Is Not Appealing"

39% of Australian Gen Z Won't Take a Job Without Desired Benefits
"Feeling Respected Is Important"
Job Dissatisfaction Sometimes Leads to Side Gigs

A study in Australia found that Generation Z workers (born in the mid-1990s to early 2000s) do not necessarily seek employment solely based on higher salaries. The New York Post reported on the 30th of last month (local time) the results of a survey conducted by recruitment agency Randstad, which polled over 27,000 Gen Z workers in Australia. According to the study, 39% of Australian Gen Z workers would not look for a job if the desired benefits were not offered.

Angelie Anasis, a manager at Randstad, said, "When deciding where to work, Gen Z considers perks such as welfare benefits more than salary," adding, "Benefits like flexible work arrangements, free breakfast and lunch, mental health support, training allowances, and development stipends are effective ways to address living cost issues while helping to generate more income in the future." Australian employee Krish Waje (26) told the New York Post, "Welfare benefits save about $10,000 to $20,000 beyond the annual salary," and said, "Benefits show how the company values its employees, and younger generations feel respected only when benefits are provided."

Experts advised that companies need to consider various factors such as how they address equity issues like work-life balance (WLB) and wage equality, as well as long-term career roadmaps.

There is also research indicating that Gen Z is turning to side jobs due to dissatisfaction with their current employment. According to a report released by Samsung Electronics on the 27th of last month, 49% of Gen Z full-time employees in five countries?South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany?said their current jobs fall short of expectations. South Korea had the highest dissatisfaction rate at 64%, followed by the U.S. and the U.K. (51%), Germany (46%), and France (35%).

In the same survey, 73% of Gen Z workers considering side jobs cited dissatisfaction with their current employment. The U.S. had the highest proportion at 81%, followed by South Korea and the U.K. at 79%. However, more than half of respondents reported struggling with a lack of time while pursuing side jobs. Among those considering side jobs, 58% said they lacked time, and 55% of those currently juggling side jobs reported the same. Additionally, 42% of those currently engaged in side jobs said repetitive tasks such as financial and schedule management were challenging.