The New Face of Shift Work: How Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Evolving Expectations Are Reshaping the Workforce

Shift work in the US is undergoing a significant transformation. No longer defined by one generation or a single job, today’s hourly workforce is younger, more diverse, more tech-savvy — and much more vocal about what they want.

Deputy’s Big Shift 2025 Report dives into the forces reshaping hourly work across industries like hospitality, healthcare, retail, and logistics. In this post, we’ll explore how generational change, poly-employment, and evolving worker expectations are creating a new era of opportunity — and challenge — for employers.

Gen Z is now a majority of the workforce (and they know what they want)

Gen Z (considered those born between 1997 and 2012) has surpassed Millennials as the largest working generation (according to Deputy data), and they’re rewriting the rules around work, flexibility, and purpose.

29% of Gen Z are actively looking for employment outside of their current company, while 32% want more advancement from their current employers — Deputy

Gen Z employees expect transparency, digital tools that work as seamlessly as the apps on their phones, and schedules that respect their time and personal commitments. 

At the same time, they're also more likely to seek out employers that align with their values — including diversity, flexibility, and mental health support, which aren’t “nice-to-haves,” but very real deal-breakers.

Gen Alpha is next, and they already have opinions about the way they work

While still years away from joining the workforce, Gen Alpha (those born in 2013 and onward) is watching how we work — and taking notes. 

In fact, many Gen Alphas are growing up in households where gig work, multi-job hustles, and self-scheduling are the norm. 

 Gen Alpha is on track to surpass Gen Z in the shift work economy by 2038.

Meanwhile, Gen Alpha will enter the workforce expecting digital fluency and autonomy, especially given the integration of AI into business operations (like workforce management). 

Businesses that want to future-proof their hiring strategies should begin thinking now about how to support younger workers who will come in with radically different expectations than previous generations.

The trend of poly-employment is the new normal for many hourly workers

Forget the traditional 9-5 job — many hourly and shift workers today are now juggling multiple jobs, income streams, or side gigs. And it’s not just to stay afloat; they’re looking to build more autonomy into their lives.

• Deputy found that poly-employment surged to 5.4% in 2024, due to factors like inflation

• 68% of poly-workers are Gen Z, followed by 25% Millennial 

• Hospitality remains the most common poly-employment sector, with 42% of poly-workers holding jobs in the hospitality sector 

Source: Deputy’s Big Shift 2025 Report

Of course, other factors play into poly-employment, too. For example, the desire for flexibility, and in some cases, a pursuit of passion projects alongside paying work, have further driven the shift to poly-employment. Today’s workers often have more than one boss — and that changes how you schedule. 

Gender representation in shift work is evolving, too

The composition of the shift workforce is changing — and with it, a stronger push for gender equity, inclusivity, and fair treatment at every level.

58% of poly-workers are women, which indicates that younger women are being disproportionately impacted by factors like cost of living — Deputy

Further, our data shows that:

• Women are more heavily represented in healthcare and hospitality (female shift workers increased from 57% to 59%)

• Across all industries, women are making up the majority of shift workers (according to Deputy’s platform, women account for 82% of all shift work hours recorded)

Source: Deputy’s Big Shift 2025 Report

With this shift in gender representation, it’s more imperative than ever that employees have access to inclusive and equitable opportunities for training, advancement, fair wages, and participation. 

2025 brings a workforce in transition

The shift workforce of 2025 is younger, more digital, and more vocal than ever before — and that’s a powerful shift for businesses willing to evolve.

There are 4 key things to consider when hiring and optimizing your workforce this year:

• Gen Z and Gen Alpha are prioritizing both workplace culture and pay — and they’re not willing to compromise on either. 

  • Fair wages and inclusive workplace environments will help you attract Gen Z talent. 

• Poly-employment is becoming the new normal. 

  • Giving employees more flexibility with scheduling and shift work will be key to retaining employees from younger generations

• Women are increasingly taking on more shift work. 

  • You’ll need to be prepared to offer a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture, especially as women dominate shift work in certain sectors (like healthcare).

Employers who embrace these changes through flexible scheduling, inclusive policies, and smart workforce tools will gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.

Explore more big shifts that’ll impact your business in 2025

Deputy’s Big Shift Report dives deeper into the data behind the core trends and changes that’ll impact your business in 2025. Download the full Report for all of the insights and research from the Deputy team, today.

[Download the full Report]