Why employers in Czechia should listen to Gen Z's flexibility needs

Flexible work arrangements, including remote work and adjustable schedules, are among the top priorities for younger job seekers, according to a recent survey by staffing firm Grafton Recruitment. The survey found that for applicants who were Millennials or Generation Z, flexibility ranks as the second most important factor when deciding on a job offer, after salaries.

“Employers who do not provide sufficient flexibility will struggle to attract the necessary workforce,” warned Grafton marketing director Jitka Kouba. “With the rise of younger generations in the job market, this trend will become even more pronounced.”

While Millennials and Generation Z place flexibility as their second highest priority, Generation X (people born roughly between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s) ranks it third, and baby boomers place it fourth. However, the preference for flexibility is evident across all age groups, signaling a broader transformation in workplace norms, Grafton states.

Employers who embrace flexible work policies may benefit from improved employee well-being and retention, according to Grafton, saying that flexibility reduces stress and boosts productivity.  Companies that prioritize work-life balance experience up to one-third lower turnover rates than industry averages.

The demand for flexibility extends beyond remote work. Additional vacation time, various forms of leave—including sick leave and loyalty leave—and the ability to choose work shifts are among the most sought-after benefits, Kouba noted.

The Grafton study also found that employees across different industries and sectors had different wishes and priorities. For example, five weeks of vacation time was the most important benefit for blue-collar (manual labor) workers, whereas the IT and corporate services sectors ranked flexible working hours as their least-desired benefit overall.

Studies have also linked regular vacation time to increased creativity and efficiency. A 2019 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that employees who take regular vacations demonstrate improved problem-solving skills, Grafton cited. 

Similarly, a 2022 survey from American pollster Gallup showed that employees who used at least 80 percent of their vacation time were one-fifth more productive and less likely to experience burnout.

The possibility of working from home or in a hybrid manner is also becoming a standard for jobseekers. "People already see it as a standard, not a benefit," Kouba said in 2024. In fact, 95 percent of white-collar workers would like flexible working hours, according to Grafton Recruitment.

Kouba advises employers to offer flexibility wherever possible, even in industries where remote work is less feasible. “For example, in manufacturing, flexibility can be introduced through shift selection or core working hours, where employees are required to be present for a set period but have control over the rest of their schedules,” she said.