Generation Z and Home Office Work in 2020 during COVID19 – Pilot study results

Abstract

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER

The study focuses on COVID19’s impact on home office work (HOW) from Generation Z’s (GenZ) viewpoint between March and December 2020 in 3 regions. Our pilot study's aim is to explore the 1) connection between the affecting factors of perceived performance of employees during HOW, 2) differences between the list of TOP5 advantages and disadvantages of HOW based on different geographical locations, (3) employees’ viewpoint on HOW based on geographical location, education and the amount of HOW demanded.

METHODOLOGY

Our pilot study was based on a survey conducted in February 2021 among 118 GenZ employees in 3 regions' selected county capitals (Budapest, Pécs, Székesfehérvár) to examine the HOW experiences for the above mentioned period. Besides crosstabs test and sentiment analysis conducted on the dataset, TOP5 raking was created and compared.

MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS

The pilot study found connection between influencing factors of perceived performance during the HOW period. No differences appeared regarding the TOP5 HOW advantages compared to disadvantages where more significant differences were revealed in the comparison of regions. Positive opinion on HOW was found mainly in Székesfehérvár and Pécs, among those with a secondary school-leaving certificate and having been ordered to do HOW only once. Negative opinion appeared in Budapest, among those with a graduate or masters degree and who did HOW on more than one occasion.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The pilot study results allow for further investigation and a better understanding of GenZ employees' behaviour during HOW. However they are still limited for extensive recommendations. As a future research direction the study sample could be increased by expanding it on other regions and comparing GenZ employee’s results with other generations (e.g. Generation Y).