The once-stable 9-to-5 job is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. Workers are struggling to thrive in a challenging economy, and few are even aspiring for traditional corporate success.
More than half of workers (61%) believe the idea of a “stable full-time job” is a myth in today’s hiring landscape, including 72% of Gen Z professionals, according to a new report of 3,000 employed adults from background checking company Checkr. Around 42% of all respondents, and more than half of Gen Z (52%) say they have side hustles or second jobs—not by choice, but because their current pay doesn’t meet their financial needs.
“For employers, these insights are a call to action,” says David Patterson, director of communications at Checkr, in a blog post about the report. “In a time when polywork is often a necessity, companies that take meaningful steps to support their employees’ financial stability might earn stronger loyalty and stand out as employers of choice.”
If you thought that financial duress is making workers feel motivated to aim for the corporate office, think again. The majority of employees are unenthused by the prospect of becoming a boss—around 76% of workers overall agree that leadership roles are unattractive because of things like burnout and office politics, including 80% of Gen X and 76% of millennials. Around 61% of workers say that the climb up the corporate ladder feels outdated, with Gen Z and millennials just about tied at 65% and 62% respectively.
Even as workers become increasingly disillusioned with traditional career paths, however, they’re still looking for a sense of purpose at work. Around 45% of employees overall said that they would take a pay cut if they had a job that was in sync with their values, but still offered room for career growth. That’s particularly true for younger generations like Gen Z (52%) and millennials (46%).
“By recognizing that today’s workers want more than just titles—they want meaningful work, personal growth, and purpose-driven cultures—companies can design career paths that truly inspire,” the report reads.
Brit Morse
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Around the Table
A round-up of the most important HR headlines.
To attract workers a Nebraska slaughterhouse is offering ergonomic work stations and telling employees they don’t need to work night shifts. Wall Street Journal
After more than 100 unsuccessful job applications, this man sued software firm Workday for discrimination, claiming its algorithm, built on AI, screened him out. Wall Street Journal
For years, young people seeking a lucrative career were urged to go into computer science, but job opportunities for these roles are already declining due to AI. The Atlantic
Watercooler
Everything you need to know from Fortune.
New talent. Despite concern over an entry-level job bloodbath, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says businesses are still clamoring for young talent. —Preston Fore
Future woes. Social Security is expected to run short of funds earlier than predicted, and the ramifications will hurt young people the most. —Alicia Adamczyk
Hope for new grads. Dan Shapero, chief operating officer at LinkedIn, isn’t ready to declare that the bottom rung of the career ladder is broken. —Massimo Marioni
