Bookmark: The middle manager crisis: most young workers say the role is ‘high stress, low reward’

“Gen Z is seeing people talk about burnout, and they’re thinking, ‘If that’s what’s coming, I would rather design a career that actually serves me, versus working myself into the ground for somebody else’s benefit,’” - Natasha Stanley, career coach at Careershifters.org.
The middle manager crisis: most young workers say the role is ‘high stress, low reward’

The document discusses the changing attitudes of Generation Z towards traditional corporate hierarchies. A significant portion of Gen Z, 52%, prefer not to become middle managers as revealed by a survey from Robert Walters. This generation values independence and self-directed career paths over traditional managerial roles. The rise of freelancing is attributed to economic challenges, such as the cost of living crisis and concerns over AI-induced job losses. Gen Z desires flexibility and autonomy, often opting for flat organizational structures instead of hierarchical ones. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon and Walmart showcase contrasting approaches to middle management. Amazon plans to reduce managerial roles, reflecting a shift towards less traditional corporate structures, whereas Walmart invests in middle managers, offering higher pay and benefits to retain talent. These divergent strategies highlight an evolving workplace where traditional management roles are being re-evaluated amidst changing generational expectations and economic pressures