Generational differences in work-related expectations: Examining period and cohort effects

This study explores the extent to which cohort and period effects impact employees’ work-related expectations in the context of the anticipatory psychological contract. This investigation focuses on the transition of the new Generation Z into the labour market and the preceding Generation Y. A longitudinal study based on a repeated questionnaire survey with 1,000 respondents was employed to examine cohort and period effects simultaneously. Differences in the development of work-related expectations between two generations were assessed using statistical linear mixed models. The findings indicate that the future work-related expectations of Gen Y and Z are primarily influenced by the cohort effect. The results also reveal that the expectations of both generations are relatively stable even during the turbulent period of 2019–2022. However, their levels differ between the two generations. The research findings have practical implications for managers, recruiters, and corporate human resource departments in terms of understanding and attracting and retaining the emerging generation of new employees. Some theoretical implications are also discussed.