goBeyondProfit Report Reveals Generational Divide Quietly Reshaping the Workplace

New research explains how workplace generosity drives results across age groups

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While the cooling job market may keep employees in place, it doesn’t guarantee motivation or loyalty. The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report uncovers significant differences in what each generation values, offering a roadmap for leaders aiming to boost productivity and build lasting loyalty.

Who is Looking to Leave?
The data reveals a clear generational divide in loyalty. Millennials and Gen Z are far more likely to be active job seekers, with 4 out of 10 currently looking for new opportunities. This willingness to leave is directly tied to a company’s generosity. For example, 43% of Gen Z employees have already left a job due to a lack of generosity, a rate four times higher than Baby Boomers.

The Truth About Flexibility
While flexible work is a universal desire, its importance varies in surprising ways. Contrary to popular narratives, Baby Boomers value flexibility the most, with 54% saying it is the most important demonstration of generosity. This is more than double the rate for Gen Z (24%), who consider mental health support to be just as important as flexible work.

A Growing Skepticism About Business
While nearly half of Baby Boomers believe business is a force for good, 64% of Gen Z believe that businesses do both good and bad things. This skepticism extends to their own employers, as younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) are more likely to believe a company’s generosity is driven by virtue signaling rather than genuine care.

The Real Drivers of Productivity
For Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, flexible work schedules are the top driver of productivity. However, 37% of Baby Boomers and 27% of Gen X say that additional resources—like equipment and technology—would best improve their performance. Most notably, Gen Z is unique in that they rank mental health support as their second-highest productivity driver, nearly triple the rate for older generations.

The Keys to a Strong Company Culture
All employees value accessible leadership the most when it comes to a generous company culture. Gen Z prioritizes a variety of perspectives, Millennials and Baby Boomers seek transparent communication, and Gen X looks for clear company values that impact daily work.

Making the Most of Your Community Impact
Millennials remain highly engaged by a company's community work. They are more likely than any other generation to place high value on things like paid time off for volunteering and financial contributions.

This report offers executives a clear, data-backed business generosity plan to enhance employee performance, improve company culture, and build a loyal workforce that withstands any economic cycle.

The full 2025 Business Generosity Report is based on concurrent surveys that were conducted between May 6 – May 31. To see the full methodology, click here.

goBeyondProfit is a statewide alliance of more than 2,100 business leaders committed to corporate generosity and improving people’s lives.