4 in 10 Koreans foresee rising intergenerational conflicts at workplaces

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Four out of 10 Koreans anticipate a surge in generational conflicts within workplaces, a recent survey showed on Friday, shedding light on growing tensions among different age groups, particularly between the younger MZ Generation and older people.

MZ stands for Millennials and Generation Z, encompassing individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-2000s.

In the survey released by the National Labor Relations Commission, a significant 43.3 percent expressed concerns about escalating conflicts with MZ Generation workers.

Notably, the figure was higher than those who picked up dismissal, disciplinary actions, sexual harassment and discrimination as factors that could cause workplace conflicts.

About 31 percent of the respondents cited dismissal or disciplinary actions as potential sources of conflict, while responses concerning topics like sexual harassment or discrimination stood at 8.8 percent. Workplace bullying registered at a mere 0.1 percent.

The survey was conducted online from Jan. 15 to 26, gathering responses from 3,015 individuals nationwide.

The survey results reflect a broader trend observed in many companies as conflicts between generations over duty hours and way of working as well as corporate culture have become one of the biggest social issues in recent years.

Experts believe one of the primary sources of friction lies in the contrasting characteristics and expectations between MZ and older generations. While older workers may prioritize loyalty, experience and stability, younger people especially Generation Z tend to value autonomy, flexibility and a sense of purpose in their work.

Moreover, the survey delved into perceptions of job mobility, with 76 percent of the respondents anticipating an increase in job changes.

Analysis by age group revealed that individuals under 30 were the most optimistic, with 81.4 percent foreseeing heightened job mobility, followed by those in their 40s at 74.3 percent, those in their 50s at 74.1 percent and those aged 60 or older at 67.5 percent.