What America's youngest workers want from jobs, and how they rate the biggest corporations: CNBC-Generation Lab survey

Younger workers are willing to be back in the office most of the time, the survey found, and the majority think DEI grams should be maintained by corporations

A majority are worried the economic outlook and recession risk, and potential impact on their job spects

On corporate reputation, Tesla and Meta fare poorly relative to many companies, according to the survey

Cecilie_arcurs | E+ | Getty ImagesYoung Americans will play a significant role in shaping workplaces in the decades ahead, and a new study conducted by Generation Lab for CNBC takes a look at how they feel work-life balance and corporate culture

One finding of note: younger employees are back at job sites, and they're okay with it

Just over half (52%) of those polled say they're at work now "every day. " The majority of in-office numbers rise to a combined 86% when including those in four days a week (21% of respondents), and those in three days (15%)

For the majority of younger workers, the shift away from remote flexibility is not being made in resignation — they say being in the office three to four days a week seems fair to them

Seventy-six percent of respondents said "ideally" they want to be at work at least three days a week

Generation Lab is a data intelligence firm specializing in the study of trends among young people

Only 9% of those polled said the ability to work remotely was the second most important issue (after money) when deciding on where to work

Thirty-six percent cited "career/skill development" as their top priority after money, while 27% said "company and team culture" ranked second to compensation

Loyalty to corporate employers will need to be earnedWhile they are happy to be back at the workplace, the loyalty of younger workers will have to be earned by employers

Only 7% say they are "committed to staying at a company for the long haul," while just 16% say they want to invest long-term in a company's success

But given the right career advancement opportunities, they will stay, with 46% of respondents saying they "want to grow within the company but may consider external opportunities. "Younger generations are willing to work long hours to get ahead, but they have their limits

When asked willingness to work "outside the bounds of your standard responsibilities" nearly one-third (32%) said it is "the best way to distinguish" themselves on the job

But over half (56%) said they'd do it, "but grudgingly," and that they "value work-life balance. " While much has been made in recent years of the autonomy younger workers desire, they expect their managers to invest the time in helping them to advance in their careers

The majority (64%) say they want regular back from their supervisors:Daily back: 5%Weekly back: 28%Monthly back: 31%Only 12% of poll respondents said they want to hear from their supervisors once or twice a year

Young employees want the back in person (62% said they "best receive back face-to-face"), double those who said, text or Slack

And many want the back from more than one source — 39% say they want to hear from "multiple people and perspectives. "Tesla, Big have worse reputation than Big OilA bumper sticker testing Tesla CEO Elon Musk is shown on a Tesla car on March 12, 2025 in Corte Madera, California

Justin Sullivan | Getty ImagesGeneration Lab also polled respondents to see which major companies they "associate with unethical behavior or negative impact. "Several big companies fared poorly on this question, with Tesla (68%), Meta (64%), and Amazon (61%) all being perceived negatively by over 60% of respondents

Some of the hottest companies in the newest generation of Silicon Valley also had relatively low reputational scores compared to many companies: OpenAI (43% view it negatively) and Palantir (49% view it negatively). "A few years ago, Tesla, Meta, Boeing and Amazon all would have been on the most favored list," said Cyrus Beschloss, CEO of Generation Lab. "This may show these companies' communication mechanisms have failed to stop a leak of perceived bad news. " The case of Tesla may be the most unique. "Tesla has a great story to tell its duct but perceptions of Elon Musk's involvement in have not been a positive for the brand," Beschloss said. "But he can bably turn that around by focusing on the good of the mission, if Musk decides to do so. "Want to keep DEI in workplace, but don't want A major issue since the start of the second Trump administration has been the administration's targeting of diversity, equity and inclusion grams, and a subsequent retreat among companies supporting recently stated DEI goals

That doesn't fly with most young workers, and the survey indicates they will not support corporate employers that retreat on the issue

A majority (67%) say they "strongly support" companies continuing at least some DEI initiatives, while 15% said they either "prefer to eliminate" DEI or "prefer to scale it back. "But a majority of respondents (58%) also indicated that when it comes to "discussing in the workplace," they prefer to avoid it

Economic, job fears are elevatedTrump administration tariffs, and the threat of more tariffs, have many economists and investors worried a slowdown in economic growth and the potential for increasing layoffs

Greater use of artificial intelligence by employers is also weighing on entry-level worker job opportunities and level of fessional confidence

While the national employment data remains solid, these fears are reflected among younger workers

Close to three-quarters (72%) of those surveyed said they are either "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned" a recession that could impact their job spects. "A lot of smart young people are ing what leaders say

Casting doubt on the strength of the economy, and that's had an impact," Beschloss said. "This age group also grew up during the Covid economy and in some cases the Great Recession in 2007

They're legitimately nervous," he said. "Right now, young people are seeing symptoms of a struggling economy in their everyday s — through difficulties finding a job, higher prices, and constant conversation tariffs

Fittingly, there's no surprise that these recent difficulties and uncertainty had led to a growing sense that a recession could be on the horizon," added Jira Smith, re director at Generation Lab

As far as where younger workers look for career advice, they keep it close to : 81% said they start with mom or dad

S is under attack from Trump, with the cost to owners uncertainBob WoodsOp-ed: U

Is losing rare earth metals war to China, and running out of time to win it backDewardric L

McNealThe Depot parking lot labor economy is at heart of Trump's ICE immigration battleKevin WilliamsRead More.