Research shows younger generations are less engaged at work

Younger workers are those who feel less engaged at work, while people aged 44 to 59 are at greater risk in terms of mental health, according to research to be published this Thursday.

A study conducted by the Portuguese Laboratory for a Healthy Work Environment (LABPATS) concluded that the youngest professionals under the age of 29 (Generation Z) are those who have the most positive perceptions of the ethics and values ​​of organizations. , psychosocial environment and commitment to leadership, characterizing it as assertive.

In a conversation with Lusa, the research coordinator, psychologist Tania Gaspar de Matos, explained that the characteristics of the different generations coexisting in a company are related “to their age, but also to the political and social moments in which they developed.”

He gives the example of the intervening generations (Generation Y and children, and in some cases their parents).

On the other hand, “this is a generation that still has a long way to go before retirement.”

“Suddenly they were torn away from the idea that people retire at 55 or 60 and find themselves saddled with these two items. [filhos e pais]”, the specialist said, warning: “These generations really need the most care.”

As a positive, he highlighted the fact that “people are paying a lot of attention to these issues” of mental health these days.

Pointing out that Portugal is one of the countries where children stay at their parents’ house until late, this means that this younger generation, who are already working, will end up with a “less burden” financially.

In addition, “they have a different attitude towards work, one that is more flexible” and “the role that work plays in their lives is less than that of other older generations,” the researcher recalls, warning that companies need to keep an eye on this. These young people are different, for whom “the most important thing is no longer the salary.”

“I have several employers who tell me: I give them extra pay, I give them paid vacation, a cell phone, a car, and they leave,” he said.

These workers “look for other things in their lives (…) to feel good” and companies, if they want to retain them, must develop policies aimed at their interests, which include flexible working hours, job security, autonomy. and promoting mental health, he defended.

The study even indicates that professionals in the two youngest generations (Generation Z and Y—under 44) report less organizational engagement.

Older professionals (Generation X and Baby Boomers over 40) have more positive perceptions of community involvement, remote work, and the physical work environment.

All generations agree that organizations have limited resources for healthcare.

In terms of the work model developed, it is professionals who work remotely or in a hybrid situation who perform better in terms of ethics and organizational values, commitment to leadership, and better perceived performance.

Taking into account the size of the organization, smaller companies represent “more positive indicators in terms of a healthy work environment.”

In terms of sector of activity, professionals who present a higher risk index are those in government, transport and healthcare.

A comparison of public and private organizations shows that it is professionals from private organizations who demonstrate more positive indicators in terms of a healthy work environment.

In terms of location, the study found that professionals from organizations located in the northern region performed less positively in terms of a healthy work environment.

LABPATS studies the health and well-being of professionals and organizations, helping to shape policies that influence the health and well-being, healthy and sustainable development of professionals and organizations.