Gen Z employees experience higher loneliness in remote settings. 38% report feeling lonely at work. 86% wish companies offered more social events; 72% value friendships at work; 56% expect companies to provide social opportunities. 85% say work friends increase engagement. 68% prefer hybrid; 15% prefer fully remote. Community-building perks drive engagement, productivity, innovation, and retention. Free lunch and social events like happy hours and team retreats rank high on Gen Z's wish list. Employers seeking to increase on-site attendance should prioritize inclusive social programming over elaborate amenities.
Many companies are struggling with return-to-office mandates, but a new report from ezCater reveals a surprising advocate for in-person work: Gen Z. These youngest employees have high expectations for the office as a social hub, a finding that challenges the stereotype of a generation content to work entirely remotely.
38% of Gen Z employees report feeling lonely at work, and their desire for connection is clear: 86% wish their company offered more events where they can socialize, 72% say it's important to them to have friendships at work and 56% now expect their company to provide these opportunities. Their top wish-list items are social events like happy hours and team retreats.
This may be why only 15% of Gen Z prefer a fully remote work arrangement, with a strong majority (68%) preferring a hybrid arrangement. For this generation, building friendships at work is not just a social nicety; it's critical for professional success, as 85% of Gen Z employees say having work friends makes them feel more engaged. Engagement is a proven driver of key business outcomes, including higher productivity, greater innovation, and employee retention.
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