The 2026 view from Gen Z

They’re stalled, stressed and scanning the horizon for more bad news in the coming year

IF YOU’RE STARTING to think about your New Year’s resolutions, or even just your predictions for the year ahead, you’re not alone — although we hope you’re feeling a bit more optimistic than most of Gen Z, who appear to look ahead to 2026 with a rather gloomy attitude.

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In a new poll from Employment Hero, only 53 per cent of Gen Z workers expect to get a raise next year, although 82 per cent said they think they deserve one. Same goes for promotions: 62 per cent think they deserve one, but only 32 percent expect one. They are forecasting a bad year that follows an already bad year, too. One in three respondents said they were in a job that falls short of their education level, while 46 per cent of them aren’t in their desired field. (For comparison, 25 percent of Gen X say the same.)

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“The job market has been tough on everyone this year, but especially on Gen Z, who are just getting started in their careers,” says Employment Hero’s president of Canadian business Kevin Kliman.

Little surprise then that so many Gen Z employees are restless and looking at the exit. A majority — 55 per cent — said they are planning to look for a new job next year. “It’s not a subtle message,” wrote HR Tech Edge.

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For businesses, Kliman’s message is that, while we’re all dealing with uncertainty, the value of investing in people remains.

“While it can be challenging for employers to offer career progression amidst economic uncertainty, there are other meaningful ways to invest in Gen Z’s success,” Kliman advised. “It starts with hearing them out — why do they feel a mismatch between their goals and their current role? From there, you can work together to identify opportunities for mentorship and exposure to different aspects of the business to support their growth.” Kieran Delamont