Gen Z at work: rethinking HR for a new employment deal

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the career expectations of Generation Z are reshaping organizational structures, talent management practices and the strategic role of human resource leadership. Rather than treating Gen Z preferences as short-term generational adjustments, this study positions them as signals of deeper organizational transformation necessary for long-term workforce sustainability and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a conceptual and integrative approach, drawing on recent global surveys, practitioner reports and academic literature on Generation Z, organizational design and strategic human resource management. Findings The analysis finds that Gen Z career expectations challenge traditional assumptions around tenure, hierarchical progression, presenteeism and transactional employment relationships. Organizations that respond through structural redesign rather than policy-level adjustments are more likely to achieve sustained employee engagement and retention. Practical implications For practitioners, this study highlights the need to reposition human resource as a strategic partner in organizational design rather than a functional administrator. It offers insight into how flexibility, career progression and well-being can be operationalized at the structural level, while cautioning against superficial compliance-driven responses that undermine organizational credibility among Gen Z employees. Originality/value This study adds value by shifting the discussion on Generation Z from preference mapping to strategic organizational transformation. It integrates multiple dimensions of Gen Z expectations into a coherent framework for organizational redesign, offering a perspective that moves beyond generational stereotypes and positions Gen Z as a catalyst for modernizing work systems.

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