MANILA – Often taunted for their so-called main character energy and penchant for unbossing, today’s youngest members of the Filipino workforce – Generation Z or those born between 1995 and 2012 – are making it clear they’re just as mission-driven as their older colleagues.

But the Filipino Gen Z wants more than just a steady pay. They also crave a meaningful and fulfilling life at work while they establish their long-term financial success, according to new research from the Ateneo de Manila University, one of the Philippines’ leading higher education institutions.

The study uncovered Filipino Gen Z talent’s work motivations and tested whether such factors “affected their job satisfaction, engagement and affective commitment to their organisations,” the researchers said.

Demystifying Gen Z stereotypes of wealth and comfort

Unlike Gen Z in countries like the US – which are portrayed in a hyperconsumerist fashion, flaunting luxury goods priced beyond the means of a working-class 20-something – Filipino Gen Z workers are said to “willingly forgo creature comforts in favour of long-term financial stability,” the researchers said.

“Gen Z is much more eager to work hard for both social good and long-term financial security than some might think,” they said.

Even among younger Filipinos, the pressure to serve as the breadwinner of the family forces most newcomers to the job market to tighten their belts and make sacrifices for the good of the collective.

This “breadwinner” mentality may be due to a combination of socio-economic factors unique to the Philippines, such as high income inequality coupled with a cultural emphasis on familial ties.

“Steeled by economic uncertainty leading up to – and most especially in the wake of – the COVID-19 pandemic, the youngest Filipinos now entering the workforce greatly value both a stable income and personal achievement,” the researchers said in a release.

The study found: “Family is a significant motivator for their work, as they strive to provide a good life for their loved ones. Some participants (of the study) who are the eldest child also reported feeling a greater sense of responsibility to provide for their family.”

A segment of the working population that shares many of the motivations of Gen Z workers – such as a great workplace culture – are Millennials. However, “compared to Millennials, who put more value on interesting work and collegial work environments, Gen Zs tend to focus on securing their future through savings and investments,” the study pointed out.

How Filipino Gen Zs view personal and career growth

Life for the Filipino Gen Z isn’t just about making sacrifices to get ahead. They also take pride in what they achieve at work, underpinned by their pursuit of professional and personal growth. “This focus is reflected in their desire for rapid advancement and fulfillment in their roles,” the study highlighted.

“Financial security is one of Gen Z’s motivating factors, as they view work as an avenue for them to earn and save money for their future. Even though Millennials put a premium on compensation, the Gen Z respondents are more specific as to how they want to use their salary,” the Ateneo researchers said. “They also want their work to have an impact on others and society. They want to see how their work contributes to the organization's mission in general.”

The study, Motivating Filipino Generation Z employees at work: enablers and outcomes, was published in the journal Evidence-based HRM.