Generation Z: They’re not job hoppers, they just know what they want

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 03. 11. 10:52

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For Generation Z, it is particularly important that their workplace provides opportunities for development, is flexible and supportive. Erste surveys and our own experience show that if today’s 17-31 year olds find a workplace that meets their preferences and takes their needs into account, they will stay there for years.

Generation Z is often called a “job hopper”, meaning that they change jobs frequently, seemingly for no particular reason. However, Erste’s experiences and surveys show a more nuanced picture: young employees aged 17-31 do not move from one job to another for the sake of change, but because they are looking for a workplace where they can develop, work flexibly and are surrounded by a supportive environment. If they find this, they plan for the long term.

“At Erste, the proportion of Generation Z colleagues is nearly 20 percent and they stay with us for an average of 4.5 years. This is particularly good in light of the fact that even the oldest Generation Z employees with a degree have been present on the labor market for a maximum of nine years. All this shows that if the workplace matches the needs of young people, they will commit to it”

– says Krisztina Mihók, Head of HR at Erste, elected as a 2025 Top Employer.

According to the bank’s own survey, Generation Z is motivated more by development (90 percent), flexible working (79 percent), stability and career opportunities (65 percent) than by salary when it comes to work. They consider professionalism and honest, straightforward information to be paramount in communicating with their potential employer. The importance and motivation of the opportunity for development for members of Generation Z is clearly demonstrated by the fact that 14 percent of young employees at Erste changed jobs within the bank in 2025.

“Internal mobility and development opportunities provide Generation Z with continuous learning and new challenges, while the organization also retains its proven, committed colleagues. It is not true that young people do not like to work. We see that they consciously seek useful, challenging tasks and a supportive environment. If they get this, they will not look for the next step in another workplace, but in-house,” added Krisztina Mihók.
The natural use of digital skills and AI tools is an additional advantage for young employees. Generation Z is not only adapting to technological changes, but is also actively shaping the future of work.
*Last year, Erste became the highest-rated employer on WhereWeWork’s independent workplace evaluation platform based on real employee feedback.