New Generation Employee Retention Study: Sense of Belonging and Growth More Compelling Than Compensation
An in-depth interview study focused on the new generation in the workplace has revealed an interesting phenomenon: among the key factors influencing employee retention, while compensation is important, it is not the decisive variable. What truly makes the new generation choose to stay long-term is often their sense of belonging and perceived opportunities for growth within the organization.
The study found that new generation employees desire to be seen, understood, and trusted. They want their work to be meaningful and impactful, and they look for mentors and partners within the organization with whom they can have genuine dialogue. Therefore, if companies want to create a more attractive workplace environment, they need to shift from traditional "control-oriented thinking" to "connection-oriented thinking"—by establishing deep communication mechanisms, providing personalized growth support, and fostering an inclusive and trusting cultural atmosphere, enabling employees to truly find a dual sense of belonging, both emotional and value-based, within the organization.