We want free food and early finish on Fridays, say Gen Z

PAMPERED young Britons want flexible working, free food and a midday finish on Fridays before they will consider taking a job, according to a study.

The would-be workers of ‘Generation Z’ – the UK’s 12million-strong group of 18- to 24-year-olds – insist on a variety of ‘must-have’ perks before plumping for a potential employer, the survey reveals.

Researchers, who quizzed 2,000 youngsters, discovered that their demands include no face-to-face job interviews, a dog-friendly office and no need for any ‘previous experience’ to land the position.

Other key stipulations by new starters, who are empowered by labour shortages across many sectors, include free Apple laptops and smartphones, and subsidised travel.

But the most important Gen Z proviso before accepting a job was for flexible, or ‘hybrid’ working.

Some 87 per cent of those surveyed told researchers they would not consider a post that was ‘100 per cent office-based’.

The study, by Ivory Research, found that 72 per cent also expect employers to provide free breakfast, lunch and dinner – with snacks and drinks on tap throughout the day.

Sixty per cent stipulate laptops and phones, subsidised travel to work, an online job interview and no requirement for previous experience.

Half of respondents want an early finish on Fridays, a dog-friendly office and regular ‘bonding’ nights out, while 45 per cent expect occasional ‘duvet days’, in which staff can take unplanned time off.

Most Gen Z recruits expect a salary between £30,000 and £40,000, although some insist they will only consider jobs paying £50,000 – even though the current average salary in the UK is around £34,000.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesman for Ivory Research said: ‘There’s quite a list of priorities set out before a typical Gen Z-er will consider accepting a new role.

‘From WFH – working from home – and duvet days, to subsidised travel costs and free lunches, the expectations of the traditional workplace are very different in 2021.’

Maria Ovdii, co-founder of Ivory Research, added: ‘It’s a candidatedriven market currently, and potential employees know they have power.’