FILIPINO Gen Z workers are entering the workforce with a strong demand for meaningful work and flexibility, but they are also reporting the highest levels of stress and the lowest workplace happiness among generations, a new study from Jobstreet by SEEK said.
The study Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 showed that Gen Z workers aged 18 to 29 posted the lowest workplace happiness score at 76 percent, trailing millennials at 77 percent and Gen X workers at 78 percent.
Nearly four in 10 Gen Z respondents said they often dread going to work, reflecting the higher levels of stress and emotional exhaustion experienced by the country’s youngest workforce.
The report found that purpose remains the strongest factor influencing Gen Z workers’ workplace satisfaction, with 76 percent saying they are satisfied with the meaning they find in their jobs.
Work-from-home arrangements ranked second at 73 percent, while satisfaction with company success followed at 72 percent, showing that younger workers place greater importance on flexibility, autonomy, and alignment between their jobs and personal values.
Jobstreet by SEEK said the results indicate that workplace expectations are changing, with younger employees seeking careers that provide not only financial opportunities but also a stronger sense of fulfillment.
‘Our findings show that workplace happiness means different things to different generations, but every employee wants to feel that their work has meaning and purpose,’ Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines Managing Director Dannah Majarocon said.
However, the report noted that workload demands and stress management remain major challenges for Gen Z employees, contributing to lower workplace happiness despite their positive outlook toward purpose-driven work.
Majarocon said employers must recognize that employee expectations vary across generations and adjust workplace strategies to address different needs.
‘At Jobstreet by SEEK, we believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to workplace happiness; that’s why we encourage employers to build workplace strategies that reflect the diverse needs of employees,’ she said.
Meanwhile, millennials aged 30 to 44 identified workplace relationships, company culture, and shared values as key drivers of satisfaction, with 78 percent expressing satisfaction with their sense of purpose at work.
Around 70 percent of millennials reported positive sentiments toward their teams and colleagues, reflecting the importance of supportive workplace environments for employees balancing career growth with personal responsibilities.
For Gen X workers aged 45 to 59, work-life balance and career progression emerged as the strongest contributors to workplace happiness, with 73 percent expressing satisfaction with their ability to balance work and personal life.
Despite generational differences, the study showed that workplace stress and burnout remain concerns across age groups, even as 77 percent of Filipino workers said they are somewhat or extremely happy at work.
The survey, conducted from October to November 2025, covered Filipino workers aged 18 to 64 nationwide and examined workplace sentiment across sectors, career stages, and generational groups.