- Gen Z and millennial workers prioritize work flexibility—some so much so they’d take a pay cut in order to have hybrid or remote work, a recent LinkedIn survey shows. But these young workers still see the value in coming into the office to build relationships.
We’re five years past the start of the pandemic, which fundamentally changed how and where we work. While many companies still offer remote or hybrid work, there’s also been a major push from employers to get workers back in the office full time.
Workers of all generations have mixed feelings about return-to-office mandates, but many younger-generation workers would still prefer to work fully remote or on a hybrid schedule. Some even say they would take a pay cut in order to get the work flexibility they got during the pandemic.
In a recent survey of more than 4,000 U.S.-based workers, LinkedIn found nearly 40% of Gen Z and millennial workers said they would take a pay cut in exchange for more flexibility about where they work. Across all generations, the share was 32%.
Other reasons Gen Z and millennial workers would take a pay cut is for a job with better upward mobility, a more reasonable workload, and a better relationship with their boss, according to the survey.
Laura Roman, a senior talent acquisition manager with London-based marketing firm Up World, wrote in an April LinkedIn post one of her candidates took a £7,000 pay cut—about $9,300—for a fully remote job.
“The founder was hesitant at first. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. Why would anyone willingly take less money?” Roman wrote. “But then it clicked. They were offering something just as valuable as a bigger salary (for that candidate): flexibility.”
“Not everyone can afford to trade money for flexibility, but for those who can, it’s becoming a no-brainer,” she added.
Another early 2025 study by Robert Half showed when the gap between a candidate’s salary expectation and an offer is too great, many employers are negotiating remote and hybrid work to get candidates to sign on the dotted line.
Theresa L. Fesinstine, founder of human resources advisory peoplepower.ai, previously told Fortune she’s seen some candidates accept 5% to 15% less pay in exchange for remote work.
“There’s this unspoken exchange rate between flexibility and comp, and for some candidates, it’s worth a significant tradeoff,” Fesinstine said. This is especially true “for those who value work-life balance or are saving on commute costs.”
Gen Z and millennials still want some in-office experience
Although Gen Z and millennial workers report they’d prefer flexibility, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to come into the office at all. In fact, many Gen Z workers have led the charge back to in-office work. They see the value in forming in-real-life connections with coworkers and think being in the office gives them a better chance at getting promoted.
Still, Gen Z and millennial workers tend to prefer a hybrid schedule that allows them to work from home sometimes. In fact, a late March report by property group JLL shared with Fortune shows workers under 24 years old are more likely to be in office than other generations and come in an average of 3 days a week.
“While many actively seek roles offering face-to-face engagement, they reject rigid office mandates, prioritizing flexibility in when and how they work,” Lauren Winans, CEO and principal HR consultant at HR consulting firm Next Level Benefits, told Fortune. Gen Z “blends digital fluency with an appreciation for traditional office benefits.”
For Spencer McLean, a Gen Z public relations manager, hybrid work has been the best of both worlds. She’s enjoyed forming friendships in the office, asking coworkers questions, and learning on the job, she told Fortune. But she doesn’t love going into the office every day.
“Hybrid work gives you a brain break where you don’t have to have conversations constantly and can sit down and focus—and it gives your skin a break from makeup,” McLean said. “I love the flexibility I have now and I believe it’s made a huge difference in my mental health.”
