A new report by Randstad India finds that only 16% of Gen Z professionals in India prefer traditional full-time jobs, while 43% favour a combination of a full-time job and a side hustle. The findings, published in “The Gen Z Workplace Blueprint”, reveal a shift in workplace expectations driven by flexibility, pay, and purpose.
The study, which examines career preferences, retention drivers, and attitudes toward AI and learning, shows that 38% of Gen Z employees plan to stay less than a year in their current role, indicating higher mobility compared to older generations.
When choosing jobs, pay (29%), location flexibility (23%), and flexible working hours (15%) emerged as top priorities. Nearly 94% of respondents said they consider long-term goals when evaluating opportunities.
Low pay (50%), poor workplace culture, and misaligned values are the most common reasons for early exits. Retention, the report notes, is now driven more by better pay (37%), flexible hours (25%), and work-life balance (22%) than by traditional perks.
The report also highlights Gen Z’s mixed response to artificial intelligence. While 82% expressed excitement about AI and 83% use it for problem-solving, 44% said they are concerned about its long-term impact on jobs.
In terms of learning preferences, 52% of respondents use AI tools for learning, followed by on-the-job training (47%) and peer learning (44%). Despite uncertainties, 81% of Gen Z professionals report being motivated in their current roles—though engagement levels remain lower than those of millennials and Gen X.
Commenting on the findings, Viswanath PS, MD & CEO of Randstad India, said Gen Z’s approach to work reflects “a blend of ambition, confidence, and adaptability,” with flexibility and purpose becoming as important as pay.
Milind Shah, Managing Director of Randstad Digital India, added that the strong preference for side hustles signals the rise of a “digitally native workforce” seeking both professional stability and entrepreneurial freedom.
The report concludes that as Gen Z forms a larger share of India’s workforce, organizations will need to evolve workplace culture, learning models, and talent strategies to attract and retain this generation.
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