Over half of the young workforce in India lives paycheck-to-paycheck- Study
Young professionals seek `trifecta' of happiness built on money, meaning, and well-being: Gen Z survey
By - Kaniza Garari
Why Gen Z defines productivity by work-life balance and not by hours logged in
Hyderabad: Generation Z is shifting from traditional workplace productivity metrics to transactional supervision rooted in coaching and flexibility.
A meeting held by the Hyderabad Management Association discussed the workplace culture. Industry leaders, who were part of the meeting, revealed that Gen Z is more flexible in terms of work timings. It was found that productivity is not defined by the hours logged in.
Redefining productivity
Sricharan Lakkaraju, managing director of GOCL Corporation Ltd, strongly advocated a paradigm shift in management approach. Lakkaraju said, "Gen Z defines productivity not with the hours logged in but by pursuit of meaning, autonomy, and work-life balance."
"The myth that Gen Z is distracted or prone to job-hopping is just that—a myth," Lakkaraju stated. "They are not seeking stability; they are seeking rapid growth, challenge, and impact. When they are offered coaching and mentorship over micro-management, and when their work aligns with their values, their output soars." He emphasized that this cohort prioritizes both health and accelerated professional development, requiring employers to invest in robust coaching frameworks rather than rigid reporting structures.
Deloitte Survey Confirms Generational Shift
Lakkaraju’s observations are strongly validated by the findings of the 2025 Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which included over 800 professionals from India. The survey underscores that young professionals are seeking a "trifecta" of happiness built on money, meaning, and well-being, which are their principles in career priorities.
Key data points from the survey that reinforce the need for organizational change include:
Learning & Mentorship: 94% of Gen Z in India value on-the-job, hands-on experience over traditional theoretical learning, and career progression is a top factor driving job decisions. However, the survey revealed a significant mentorship shortfall, with around half of respondents seeking guidance that they feel they are not receiving—a clear disconnect from the coaching model Gen Z desires.
Technology Adoption: India’s young workforce is highly adaptable, with 85% of Gen Zs and Millennials reporting that they are already using Generative AI (GenAI) tools in their day-to-day work, reflecting their drive to enhance efficiency and creativity.
The Stress Triad: Financial insecurity and mental health concerns remain major stressors. Over half of the young workforce in India lives paycheck-to-paycheck, and 33% of Gen Zs report feeling stressed or anxious frequently, often citing job instability, long hours, and lack of autonomy as contributing factors. This reinforces the demand for better work-life balance and purpose-driven roles.
Ambition Redefined: Corroborating the HMA discussion, the survey found that only 6% of Gen Z consider reaching a senior leadership position as their primary career goal, prioritizing flexibility and continuous growth instead of climbing the traditional corporate ladder.
D Vijaya Sekhar, president of HMA, explained that the association's commitment is to bridge the gap between industry expectations and generational values. “The future of management lies in understanding and empowering this impactful generation. HMA will continue to provide platforms for this critical dialogue.”
With a lot of companies facing challenges in understanding Gen Z and working with them, these sessions are designed to fulfill the aspirations and meet the demands of the industry.
India's Gen Z
India's Gen Z (born 1997-2012) is over 377 million people, expected to comprise more than 27% of the national workforce by 2025.
This digitally native talent pool is predominantly drawn to the Technology and IT Services sector, followed by digital media/Entertainment, e-commerce/retail, and the flexible gig economy.
The highest concentrations of the Gen Z workforce are in major tech and professional hubs: Bengaluru (Silicon Valley of India), Delhi-NCR (Gurugram, Noida), Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune.
