Overview
- Randstad finds only 16% of Indian Gen Z prefer traditional full-time roles, while 43% favor a full-time job paired with a side hustle.
- Top stay factors are better pay (37%), flexible hours (25%) and work–life balance (22%), with low pay cited by 50% as a key reason for early exits.
- AI engagement is high, with 82% enthusiastic about AI, 83% using it for problem-solving and 44% worried about long-term job impacts.
- Learning is shifting toward technology, as 52% of Gen Z use AI tools to upskill and more than half are studying AI and data skills (54% Gen Z, 57% fresh graduates), according to Randstad and Deel.
- Upskilling access influences retention for younger workers, with 61% of Gen Z and 63% of fresh graduates saying it affects whether they stay, while cost is the main barrier for Gen Z (31%), Deel reports.