Naukri has released the latest edition of its Voices @ Work report titled The Gen Z Work Code: What Drives, Engages, and Retains Them, offering fresh insights into how India’s Gen Z professionals view careers and workplaces today. The study is based on responses from over 23,000 Gen Z employees across more than 80 industries in corporate India.

The findings reveal a clear shift away from traditional career markers such as promotions and hierarchical growth. Instead, work-life balance has emerged as a key decision driver, with 50% of respondents ranking it as the most important factor in job offers after salary. Among professionals with five to eight years of experience, this figure rises to 60%, highlighting how priorities evolve with exposure to workplace realities.

Career growth, according to the report, is increasingly defined by learning and skill acquisition. Nearly 57% of respondents said gaining new skills mattered more than promotions or pay hikes. This preference is especially strong in creative roles such as design and advertising, where continuous learning is seen as essential for long-term relevance.

Recognition, too, has taken on a new meaning. Rather than verbal praise or public appreciation, 81% of Gen Z professionals value access to growth opportunities as a stronger form of acknowledgment. This indicates a shift from validation-driven motivation to opportunity-driven engagement.

The report also explores mental health stressors across generations. For Gen Z, poor work-life balance and limited growth opportunities were the top concerns, while only 16% cited micromanagement as a major stress factor-significantly lower than Millennials.

Overall, The Gen Z Work Code serves as a roadmap for organizations to adapt to evolving workforce expectations. By prioritizing flexibility, learning-led cultures, mentorship, and mental well-being, companies can better engage, retain, and empower the next generation of talent.