As Ireland’s workforce continues to evolve, one generational shift is becoming impossible to ignore: Gen Z is entering the professional services sector in growing numbers. With them comes a distinct set of expectations, values, and behaviours that differ from their Millennial and Gen X predecessors.
This year, Gen Z will make up around 27% of the global workforce, and Ireland is no exception to this trend. As graduate intakes increase and entry-level roles fill with fresh talent, employers in accounting, legal, consulting, and financial services must adapt quickly or risk losing out on the next wave of high-potential professionals. With such a large portion of the workforce being Gen Z, their expectations will have a considerable impact on influencing work culture.
Flexibility Is a Non-Negotiable
While flexible working has become more common across most industries since the pandemic, Gen Z views it not as a perk but as a baseline expectation. According to an Irish Life report from earlier this year, 67% of Gen Z respondents in Ireland place particular emphasis on greater work/life balance in their employment choice, compared to the global average of 50%.
This generation is digitally native, comfortable with remote tools, and sees no reason for rigid in-office expectations. According to a Deloitte report, while a majority of Gen Z workers still work fully on-site (52%), a notable 21% are working remotely, and 27% are hybrid. Employers looking to attract top junior talent must communicate their stance on flexibility from the outset, preferably in job ads and during interviews.
Purpose Over Paycheck
While Gen Z still values salary, many place significant value on purpose-driven work. In a Deloitte Ireland report, nearly 60% of Gen Z professionals said they would consider leaving a job if it didn’t align with their values. This includes areas like sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Professional services firms, traditionally focused on commercial performance, are now under pressure to show how they contribute to positive societal outcomes. Graduate and junior-level candidates increasingly ask:
What’s your sustainability strategy?
How does your firm support local communities?
What initiatives support inclusion and well-being in your team?
Mental Health and Work-Life Balance Matter More Than Ever
Burnout is a top concern for young professionals. According to Mental Health Ireland, more than 70% of Gen Z workers reported feeling stressed at work in the last year, citing workload and lack of support as major issues.
To retain young talent, employers must do more than offer Employee Assistance Programmes. This generation is looking for:
Genuine psychological safety at work
Managers who are trained to support emotional wellbeing
Clear expectations around working hours
Career Growth, Fast-Tracked
Gen Z is ambitious and expects structured development opportunities. A 2024 Irish Jobs survey found that 65% of Gen Z employees ranked career progression as the top reason they’d stay at a company. They want:
Transparent promotion pathways
Regular feedback
Learning opportunities
Access to mentorship and coaching
Technology-Forward Environments Are Expected
Having grown up in a digital-first world, Gen Z expects the same efficiency and tools in the workplace. Antiquated systems, clunky internal processes, and paper-based workflows can be a turn-off. To remain competitive, professional services firms must invest in:
Streamlined onboarding processes
Smart project management tools
Clear internal communications
A strong digital presence
Gen Z is not just reshaping what the future of work looks like, they’re already living it. Irish employers in professional services can no longer afford to treat flexible work, social purpose, and well-being as secondary considerations. These are core pillars of what today’s youngest professionals value most.
Firms that embrace this shift will not only attract top talent but build a more resilient, engaged, and forward-thinking workforce. Those who don’t, risk being left behind.
