"Even More Money Isn't Enough: Gen Z Refuses Management Roles Over Added Responsibility"

Work-Life Balance Over Promotions: Changing Standards of Success
From Europe to the US, Companies Face Growing Concerns

An increasing number of young employees are avoiding promotions. As a growing emphasis is placed on work-life balance rather than the responsibilities and pressures that come with advancement, companies are faced with greater difficulties in securing talent for management positions.

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More Responsibility, Less Work-Life Balance... Millennials & Gen Z Shun Management Roles

On July 22 (local time), according to Euronews, Tomasz Szklarzski, CEO of the employee engagement survey company Enpulse, stated, "A global survey found that only about 6% of Millennials & Gen Z are interested in taking on senior management positions and becoming a boss."

The main reasons young employees avoid management roles are the increased responsibilities and workload associated with promotions. Managers are not only required to report to executives on the achievement of business goals, but are also accountable for their team members' work performance, motivation, and psychological stability.

CEO Szklarzski explained, "Millennials & Gen Z carefully weigh what they gain from promotions against the burdens they must bear," adding, "Young employees clearly recognize the responsibilities and pressures that come with management positions." In the past, holding a high rank and earning a higher salary were seen as symbols of success, but now there is a growing trend of placing greater importance on mental health, leisure time, and a sustainable working environment.

The likelihood of longer working hours after becoming a manager is also cited as a reason for avoiding promotion.

In April, Economic Times reported on a story of a Millennial & Gen Z female employee who declined a management promotion due to concerns over long working hours. She reportedly said, "I do not want to work more than 40 hours a week," and told her employer that "having less work-related stress and more personal time is more important than getting a raise or promotion."

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'Conscious Unbossing' Spreads... Growing Concerns Over Managerial Gaps

The phenomenon of employees deliberately passing up promotions or refusing to take on middle-management roles is being referred to as "Conscious Unbossing."

Companies are increasingly concerned that as Conscious Unbossing spreads, securing enough managers may become more difficult in the future. In Europe especially, where the workforce is shrinking, a lack of managers could have an even greater impact on organizational operations.

CEO Szklarzski warned, "If companies fail to nurture a new generation of managers and prepare talent to take on team responsibility, they will face growing difficulties maintaining organizational efficiency."

A similar trend is also appearing in the United States. In May, the New York Post cited a survey by AI career platform Kickresume, which found that 70% of respondents said they would reject a higher-paying job offer if it did not provide mental health benefits. Additionally, up to 80% said their mental health had suffered because of their workplace.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.