Companies across Europe are facing an uncomfortable truth: the traditional employment model no longer aligns with the expectations of the newest workforce generation.
Gen Z is reshaping not only how people work, but why they work. They are mobile, independent, wellness-minded, and deeply selective about how they spend their time. And these preferences should be pushing businesses to rethink how they attract talent, structure work, and retain skilled professionals.
Research shows that Gen Z prioritizes autonomy, travel, and personal fulfilment at levels never seen in the workforce. They’re willing to change employers quickly if a role restricts movement or limits life outside work.
They ask different questions than previous generations:
To them, work is a vehicle for lifestyle, not the other way around.
Several key factors drive Gen Z’s preference for flexible, independent work:
Gen Z ranks work-life balance as a top priority. Freelancing provides the autonomy to choose when and how to work (and when not to).
This generation wants purpose. They choose work that aligns with their values, interests, and identity, rather than staying salary or position focused.
Gen Z invests heavily in skills development, (online) certifications, and continuous learning. Freelance projects offer faster skill growth than traditional roles.
Born into an internet-connected world, Gen Z sees no boundaries between countries, markets, or opportunities. Remote freelance work is simply a natural extension of how they already live.
The shift in worker expectations has direct implications for how businesses access, structure, and retain talent.
Businesses relying on long hiring cycles, fixed structures, or limited flexibility will struggle to attract younger talent (especially in competitive tech fields).
The future workforce is a blend of employees and freelance specialists. High-performing organisations are already adapting their delivery structure to support this shift.
Gen Z expects work to be global. Companies that rely only on local hiring miss out on a generation that is already operating internationally.
At GigsRemote, we’re already seeing Gen Z freelancers from Central & Eastern Europe excel in roles where autonomy, creativity, and remote collaboration are key. They bring:
By connecting companies with vetted, senior freelance talent, we help businesses stay aligned with how work is evolving.
Gen Z represents the future of work, and the future is already here.