The Workplace of The Future: Millennials and Gen Zs in Italy Call for Travel Perks, Flexible Working Hours & Purpose‑Driven Work

• Six in 10 people surveyed have considered changing jobs in the past year, with one in two people considering a job in hospitality
• Companies with a clear environmental and social purpose are most likely to appeal to 80% of those surveyed
• Post pandemic, the most important perks in a new role are flexible hours or the ability to manage their own time (61%), followed by a strong sense of family in the workplace (41%) 
• 72% of Italians say the opportunity to travel for work is important in helping decide which career to pursue  
• When selecting an organisation to work for, diversity and inclusion in the workplace is even more important to the younger generation (37%) vs millennials (26%) 
• The most coveted new skills for potential employees are the opportunity to learn a new language (50%), learn how to code (31%) and how to cook (30%)

ROME – Millennials and Gen Zs in Italy have revealed what makes the perfect job in a post-pandemic workplace, with flexible working arrangements, travel opportunities, the chance to contribute to purposeful work, and diversity in the workplace, as the most important factors. The findings were disclosed in a new survey of Millennials (26 to 41-year-olds) and Gen Zs (18 to 25-year-olds) commissioned by Hilton (NYSE: HLT).

The findings show that the perfect job should include the ability to meet new people, sample different roles and offer a work-life balance, and organisations with strong policies on social and environmental issues were likely to appeal to 80% of those aged between 18-41.

The survey also revealed that a diverse and inclusive workplace is important for 84% of Millennials and Gen Zs. Respondents feel that human connection is more important than ever in a post-pandemic world, with 88% valuing social interaction in the workplace. Furthermore, 87% of 18 to 41-year-olds rate strong mental health and wellbeing policies as an important job aspect, with 18% also revealing they thought about switching jobs in the past year over concerns for their mental health and wellbeing.  

The survey revealed that 49% of Millennials and Gen Zs are united in considering a career in hospitality; ranking the ability to learn new skills (29%), extensive personal and career development opportunities (28%), job variety (28%), the opportunity to travel (24%); and the flexibility to allocate time for other priorities in life such as raising a family (23%).

The research identified a generational divide in what people value when it comes to their careers, with Gen Z almost twice as likely to mark international travel opportunities (22%) vs millennials (13%) as very important in their search for work. The findings also identified that traditional jobs such as builder (5%) or pilot (8%) are falling in favour, compared with the likes of a social media creative (17%) or marketing specialist (18%).

David Kelly, Senior Vice President, Continental Europe, Hilton said, “Our research shows that the pandemic has shifted how we think about work, and I am proud that Hilton has continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of its teams in Italy. We lead with culture and are fiercely committed to create a truly diverse and meaningful work environment where individuals are empowered with the tools, technology, and culture to unleash their full potential.”

“We know that when we invest in our team members, our guests and communities also benefit. It’s why we’re so committed to providing industry-leading benefits, from life-changing travel opportunities, to ensuring a sense of belonging for every team member – this is how we make Hilton a great place to work. We are thrilled to be recruiting 800 new team members across Europe including countless roles at our 27 hotels in Italy, with a variety of roles on offer, including chefs, finance experts, engineering, and mixologists.”

Hilton has hotels in more than 122 countries and territories around the world. In Italy, Hilton currently has 20 properties, and plans to open 14 additional hotels in the coming years.  In addition to continuing hotel openings in the capital, Hilton plans to strengthen its presence throughout Italy, especially in major resorts and regional cities. Hilton is recruiting for positions in hotels across the country, in properties including Hilton Lake Como, Hilton Milan, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Conrad Chia Laguna – Sardinia.

Hilton has a strong commitment to creating a diverse workplace culture and has fostered community partnerships including with Farsi Prossimo in Milan. Hilton recently ranked as #8 Best Workplace, and the top hospitality company in Italy by Great Place to Work®.* 

Hilton pays particular attention to the well-being of its employees by offering attractive working conditions, competitive benefits, great recognition and support for their personal and professional development. Hilton has rolled out a travel discount program, Go Hilton, for team members, their families and friends, as well as ongoing training and apprenticeship programs, to help each team member achieve their career aspirations.  

For more information about a career at Hilton, visit jobs.hilton.com. 

Notes to Editors

*Hilton ranked as #8 of the Italy’s Best Workplaces list by Great Place to Work® in 2022 in the category of 250 – 1000 employees.

Methodology

OnePoll surveyed 1000 respondents in Italy from 5^th May – 12^th May 2022. The survey was conducted online using panel members who are credited to participate in surveys. Respondents aged 18-41 were targeted using screening questions and profile data in order to ensure the correct demographic was achieved.