China’s Gen Z workers are gaining more leverage, and they’re demanding changes
- Traditional employment relationships are changing in China, as Gen Z becomes the dominant force in the labour market
- Younger workers are demanding flexible work arrangements, better pay and sincerity from employers – who are taking note
Chinese businesses are being forced to become more accommodating of employee demands for flexible workplace arrangements, as young jobseekers flush with options find they have more leverage.
Traditional employment relationships are being overturned in the world’s No 2 economy, as Gen Z becomes the dominant force in the labour market and the pandemic accelerates digitalisation of workplaces, according to preliminary results of a survey by job recruitment site Zhaopin.
For Chinese employees, respect for workers, living up to promises, pay in accordance with contribution and equal opportunities are the most valued qualities in an employer, according to the survey, which will be published in December.
The findings underscore the structural changes taking place in the Chinese workforce, which were the subject of a seminar hosted by Zhaopin at Peking University on Wednesday.
