Gen Z Career Goals Shift in 2025: Job Flexibility Preference Drops 12%
12%
Gen Z is shifting priorities in the 2025 job market. Between January and March, a 12% drop in Gen Z job seekers prioritizing location flexibility was reported. Just 24% are interested in remote-first positions, significantly lower than the 35% of Gen X who prefer this setup. Demand for a four-day workweek has fallen 31% since January, while interest in mental health support rose to 37%, up from 33%. Job security concerns remain high amid the lowest vacancy rates in four years.
0.8%
To address labor shortages and soaring expenses, New York construction companies are ramping up compensation and benefits. Wages have surged by 12.4%, with 79% of firms offering cash bonuses and 90% providing retirement plans, many linked to profit sharing. Meanwhile, material costs are up 0.8% from last year and have climbed more than 40% since February 2020. Despite efforts, many firms still overlook valuable tax credits that could ease financial pressure.
67%
AI adoption in the workplace is accelerating, with 67% of companies using it and 46% of workers relying on it. Most common uses include scheduling (35%), data analysis (33%), and content writing (30%). However, 57% of employees have made mistakes due to AI, and 46% have uploaded sensitive data unknowingly. Nearly 12% admit to letting AI complete entire workplace trainings, highlighting the urgent need for clearer corporate AI policies.
59%
Job insecurity driven by recent U.S. government policies significantly impacts employee stress, with 70% citing it as a major stressor and 59% noting a moderate or slight effect. About 65% of workers say their organizations were affected by these policy changes, and 42% expect more changes ahead. 75% of employees report experiencing at least one negative effect at work, underscoring the need for employers to actively support mental health and foster a sense of belonging.
31%
Pay transparency is becoming a growing focus, with 14 U.S. states and Washington, DC, enacting laws by the end of 2025, and global companies responding to similar directives like the EU’s new law. More than half of HR leaders focus on highlighting total rewards, but just 31% consider boosting transparency a key objective. Experts caution against rushing to compliance without a clear strategy, as transparency invites more employee questions and demands thoughtful communication.