Why Gen Zs want flexible working hours over 9am to 5pm jobs
Own boss concept. Courtesy photo
Recent polls by Santander UK reveal that 76 percent of Generation Z (Gen Zs) aspire to be their own bosses.
Unlike Millennials and Boomers, this digital-native generation prefers working from home or on shifts rather than adhering to traditional 9-to-5 office jobs.
According to Santander UK’s CEO Mike Regnier, Gen Zs possess a strong entrepreneurial spirit fueled by curiosity and a desire to create something meaningful.
“Some of these individuals develop these traits early on, often driven by a need to solve a problem. Others may discover their business drive later, after spotting a gap in the market,” said Regnier.
The survey found that 39 percent of Gen Zs believe they can start a business using just a smartphone.
AVDelta News spoke to some of the Gen Zs including Janet Wanjiku* (not her real name), who works for a company along Mombasa Road.
She expressed her frustration with the traditional office structure.
"This 9am to 5pm work routine is boring. God willing I would want to start my own company and manage it myself. If this company I work for was mine, I wouldn't be waking up this early. Why should I wake up every morning from Monday to Friday to sit in an office when I have a laptop and stable internet at home? Working from home protects my mental health. In the office, Gen Z opinions are often ignored. I want to work from home so that after work, I can play with my pets. I have a dog and a cat, but they do miss me because of this 9 to 5 job. I no longer hang out with my friends like I used to," Janet laments.
Maxwell Otieno,25, shared similar views.
"I live in Juja, but work in town. The Thika Road traffic is exhausting. I have to wake up at 5:30am to make it to work by at least 8am. If I worked from home, I wouldn’t have to deal with this. This 9 to 5 structure is too boring, and my mental health is in tatters," says Maxwell.
Executive Director of Siasa Place Nerima Wako, offers insights into Gen Zs' preference for flexibility.
"Some feel more productive in the morning, while others prefer to work for a few hours and then spend time on social media or with friends. They want their freedom, unlike older generations who stay in the office just to pass time," says Ms Wako.
As the workplace continues to evolve post-pandemic, flexibility has become a central demand, especially for younger employees.
Gen Zs, born during the most enlightened digital age, grow up with an expectation of on-demand services and adaptable environment, making the traditional 9-to-5 structure seem outdated to them.
