Between Bread and Purpose: What Drives Generation Z?

It’s inevitable: the economy lies at the heart of Generation Z’s concerns. Not out of whim, but out of necessity. We grew up between promises of merit and the realities of instability — constantly balancing dreams against bills. The horizon of financial stability seems, for many of us, like a distant mirage. It’s not uncommon to find ourselves calculating not just how much we earn, but how long until we’re free — if we ever truly will be.

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In this context, it's tempting to believe that salary is the ultimate measure of a company's appeal. But that would be reducing an entire generation to numbers in a spreadsheet. The truth is, even in the face of economic demands, there are other desires — strong ones — that reach deeper into the soul.

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Wellbeing, for example, is no longer a luxury or an optional perk. For many, it's a non-negotiable. Meanwhile, boreout — that silent form of burnout caused not by overload but by lack of stimulation — has become as real a threat as burnout itself. Preventing it starts, I believe, with the individual: we must know ourselves, acknowledge the emptiness, and reclaim a sense of purpose. But it’s also the responsibility of organisations to create spaces where boredom is the exception, not the norm. Environments that challenge the mind, spark creativity, and feed the soul. Because sometimes, a project that excites us is worth just as much as an annual bonus.

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When it comes to diversity and inclusion, it’s urgent to recognise their real value — not just as marketing slogans, but as structural pillars of mature corporate cultures. It’s well known, and proven, that diverse teams are happier, more innovative, and more resilient. But beyond that, there’s something deeply human and beautiful about living and working alongside difference. There’s poetry in plurality — when we’re called to understand one another, to let go of the comfort of sameness, and to build something greater than ourselves.

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So yes, to attract Gen Z talent, a fair salary above the national average is always welcome — and often decisive. But what makes us stay isn’t just the number on the payslip. It’s the feeling that, from 9 to 5, we’re not just making money, but truly living. Growing. Contributing. We’re looking for companies that see more in us than “human resources” — that treat us as whole people: complex, passionate, and purpose-driven.

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Ultimately, we want more than to survive in the world of work.
We want to belong to it — body, mind, and heart.

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By Maria de Mello, Business Manager at Team.it

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