Younger generation Z employees are facing serious financial pressure and are increasingly looking to their employers for meaningful support, research from benefits provider Boostworks has found.
The nationally representative survey of 1,200 18–28-year-olds found that 44 percent of Gen Z workers are distracted at work by financial worries, while 19 percent admit they worry constantly and struggle to concentrate. Around one in ten reported that they have missed work altogether due to financial stress.
The findings paint a picture of economic insecurity among young working people. Only 45 percent feel they are fairly compensated in the face of the rising cost of living. Less than a third (32 percent) said they have at least £1,000 in emergency savings, and more than half (55 percent) are considering a side hustle or second job to make ends meet, with 19 percent already doing this to top up their pay.
Despite these challenges, Gen Z workers are clear about the types of employer support that would improve their financial security. Almost six in ten already rely on workplace vouchers or rewards to help with day-to-day expenses, and 74 percent say they would welcome access to financial education and planning through their employer. Many expressed a preference for practical help, with more than half valuing shopping discounts, cashback, or reward points redeemable for vouchers or products. Meanwhile, 35 percent would appreciate employer contributions to savings or investment accounts, and 50 percent still place high value on performance-related bonuses.
The research also highlights frustration around in-office expectations. One in four young workers say they feel pressured to come into the office unnecessarily, and 34 percent believe they are not adequately rewarded for doing so. While 28 percent said their employers had offered new perks to encourage office attendance, 12 percent found those perks unappealing. When asked what would motivate them to attend more regularly, the most popular responses included free food and bonuses, additional holidays, flexible office hours, and commuting allowances.
“This research paints a stark picture of the financial pressures facing Gen Z as they enter the world of work, but it also gives employers a roadmap,” said Jo Werker, CEO at Boostworks. “Yes, this generation is facing real economic strain, but they are also clear about what would help: practical financial support, flexibility, and fair recognition.”
With hundreds of thousands of young people expected to enter the workforce this summer, Boostworks emphasised that employers have a valuable opportunity to offer reward and benefits to support employee loyalty and wellbeing.
