38% of Gen Z Employees Plan to Quit Within a Year: What’s Driving India’s Young Workforce

India’s youngest professionals are rewriting the rules of work. A new study, The Gen Z Workplace Blueprint by Randstad India, reveals that nearly 38% of Gen Z employees plan to leave their current jobs within a year. But contrary to stereotypes of restlessness, this exodus is driven not by instability — but by an unrelenting hunger for growth, flexibility, and meaning.

Redefining Work: From Paychecks to Purpose

Born between 1997 and 2007, Gen Z workers are entering the job market with clear expectations. For them, financial stability is non-negotiable, but it’s only the beginning. They seek work that aligns with their values, offers learning opportunities, and allows autonomy over rigid hierarchy.

Traditional perks no longer hold their loyalty. Instead, Gen Z wants:

• Better pay (37%)

• Flexible hours (25%)

• Work-life balance (22%)

In fact, 43% prefer having a side hustle alongside full-time jobs — blending security with independence. This dual-track career mindset highlights a generation determined to balance ambition with creativity.

High Mobility, High Ambition

Randstad’s data shows that Gen Z’s short job tenures stem from “growth-hunting” rather than instability. The key reasons they quit include:

• Low compensation (50%)

• Misaligned organizational values

• Toxic or outdated workplace culture

Employers who fail to offer transparent communication, mental well-being initiatives, and upskilling opportunities risk losing their youngest talent. For Gen Z, staying stagnant is worse than moving on.

AI: Opportunity Meets Anxiety

Gen Z’s comfort with artificial intelligence (AI) sets them apart from older generations.

• 82% use AI tools in daily problem-solving.

• 52% leverage AI for upskilling.
  Yet, 44% express concern over AI’s potential to threaten job stability.

According to experts, this duality reflects both pragmatism and foresight. Gen Z isn’t resisting automation; they’re adapting to it — sharpening creativity, strategic thinking, and digital fluency. The emerging consensus: collaborating with AI is the future, not competing against it.

The New Workplace Contract

As Gen Z becomes a dominant force in India’s workforce, employers are being challenged to evolve. The traditional model of rigid hierarchies and long tenures is giving way to:

• Flexible work ecosystems

• Purpose-driven roles

• Continuous learning frameworks

• Transparent, inclusive cultures

Organizations that prioritize adaptability, growth, and emotional intelligence will not only retain young professionals but also attract the best of this generation. Those clinging to outdated systems, however, risk irrelevance.

Gen Z’s message to corporate India is clear: growth, autonomy, and authenticity outweigh tenure and titles. They’re not running from responsibility — they’re redefining it. The future workplace belongs to those who understand that meaningful engagement, not mere employment, drives loyalty in the age of change.

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