Study of work values of Gen Z students

Today's multi-generational workforce has added workplace complexities, making it crucial for employers to manage new and older staff effectively. This article attempts to explore Gen Z student's work values and priorities while making career selections. It also attempts to understand the impressions of gender and course-type (UG/PG) on work values. A questionnaire-based survey of 264 students from vocational colleges has been administered to understand their work values and perceptions of an ideal workplace. Lyons Work Values Survey (LWVS), with 25-item revised scale was used to measure four work values namely instrumental, cognitive, altruistic and prestige. Results from analysis suggest students attach greatest importance to cognitive and instrumental work values and least importance to prestige and altruistic ones. Significant differences were observed in the work values by gender and UG/PG courses. The results of the research will help employers design workforce plans and engagement methods for higher efficiency at workplaces.