We regularly hear the phrase, “I’m not a morning person” and this illustrates that we don’t all operate productively at the same time of the day. Does this mean that companies should give us the freedom to choose our own hours?

Millennials and Gen Z have identified the benefit of having a flexible work routine and are demanding that companies provide them with this level of autonomy. Both generations listed flexibility, in terms of hours and location, in their top three most important factors when looking for a new job. Companies are recognising that if they fail to meet these demands they risk losing out on top talent.

With that in mind, what else can you be doing to successfully hire these younger generations? Here’s what you need to know when recruiting Gen Z and Millennials:

Get ready for their disruption to the workforce

Millennials and Gen Z are beginning to represent a large proportion of the global workforce and by 2025 they will make up 75%. Most people from these generations were born after the internet was invented and they have grown up with several social media platforms that can connect them to others around the world at any time of the day. Therefore, they cannot understand why we need the rigid 9-5 hours to complete our work. Promoting job flexibility is just one of the ways to make your business stand out Millennials and Gen Z.

Let them have their say

The two youngest generations are not accepting what previous generations have. In fact, they no longer expect to negotiate for a better work-life balance, instead they see it as a given. The concept of ‘work-life balance’ is not a new one. Over five years ago Virgin Media offered unlimited vacation to their staff and since then many other companies have started to explore alternatives to the 9-5 model.

Millennials and Gen Z are setting their expectation during the hiring process; interviews were previously seen as a test but now it is viewed as a “conversation”. Candidates are testing if a company is willing to let them shape their jobs to fit their lives. So, you must promote your company culture to the generations that are taking over the workforce and present yourselves as strong advocates for having a good work-life balance.

See the benefits to the individual

Over 60% of Millennials and Gen Z reported that they are unproductive when they lack a work-life balance. They do not want to work in an environment where they are judged for taking all their holiday. Instead, they want to work at a company that offers sabbaticals, gives them the option to work remotely, and promotes mindfulness by providing a staff meditation room.

This is because they value their time. They have seen previous generations working in cultures where employees work to live, and they don’t want the same for themselves.

Our youngest workers are now striving for a career that allows their working lives and personal lives to exist in harmony. A flexible work routine allows them to come into work later so they can walk their dog; go to the gym at lunch; and work from home one day a week, meaning they save time on commuting.

This is paving the way to a more productive workforce

As businesses have become more target driven, we’ve seen mounting pressure for employees to come in early, leave late and skip lunches. This work mentality can lead to presenteeism, where employees are present but not engaged, which costs your company. And the long working hours can lead to job burnout – a form of work-related stress. Stressed employees will take more sick days, and in some cases, they will be unable to return to work.

Furthermore, overworking employees can destroy their morale and replacing an employee can cost up to 30,000. So, companies need to move away from the one-size-fits-all working model and think about how they can tailor each of their employees’ work routine so that they can achieve a work-life balance and operate at their highest level of productivity. This is because just as individuals do not operate productively at the same times of the day, nor do they perform at their best with the same daily routine. Some people are more efficient working in 30-minute intervals, while others prefer to immerse themselves in a task and complete it from start to finish.

More companies are adopting a flexible-working approach, so now is the time to ask yourself whether you’re prepared to explore innovative career practices that meet the demands of Millennials and Gen Z.

Let us help you recruit the best talent

Now we’ve established what you need to know when recruiting Gen Z and Millennials, it’s time to put a plan into action.

We’re here to provide you with our expert knowledge on recruiting the right marketing and sales team members. If you’d like to know how you can build a top-performing team then contact us today.