Gen Z Increasingly Rejecting Promotions, Experts Reveal the Reasons
Rahmi Damayanti, a lecturer in Family and Consumer Science at IPB University, states that the phenomenon of Gen Z choosing to reject promotions for the sake of work-life balance does not necessarily indicate that the generation lacks ambition or a desire to grow.
She assesses that this phenomenon actually demonstrates a shift in perspective regarding the meaning of success in the workplace. For some members of Gen Z, success is no longer measured solely by job titles or the scale of responsibility, but also by the ability to maintain a balance between work and personal life.
“For some Gen Z, success is no longer measured solely by promotions, increased responsibility, or structural positions, but also by the ability to achieve balance between work, family, personal life, health, and self-development,” said Rahpi, as quoted from the IPB University website on Thursday (3/9/2026).
Rahmi explained that when job demands increase while time and energy for family and personal life decrease, individuals may reconsider their career choices. Therefore, the decision to reject a promotion can be a way of prioritising quality of life, rather than a mere reluctance to accept responsibility or career advancement.
Furthermore, she noted that Gen Z entered the workforce during a period of significant change, ranging from digitalisation and increasing work pace to demands for flexibility and heightened awareness of health and well-being.
Nevertheless, Rahmi warned that this phenomenon cannot be generalised to all of Gen Z. Many young workers still desire to become leaders, but they expect a leadership model that is more flexible, humane, and collaborative.
Does the Office Need to Change?
Rahmi believes the challenge for companies is not merely making Gen Z willing to accept promotions, but creating healthier and more sustainable jobs and leadership positions. One way to achieve this is through the concept of a ‘family-friendly workplace’.
This concept allows employees to remain productive and advance their careers without neglecting their family functions and responsities. Implementation can be achieved through work flexibility, healthy workload management, support for family needs, leave policies, more adaptive working hours, and a corporate culture that does not view overworking as a measure of loyalty.
“A family-friendly workplace does not mean reducing productivity or professional demands. On the contrary, this approach encourages the creation of a work system that allows someone to remain productive and grow in their career without having to ignore their functions and responsibilities within the family,” she explained.
According to Rahmi, the professional world also needs to provide more diverse career paths. Workers do not always have to enter managerial tracks to be considered as progressing; they can choose professional expertise paths or individual contributor roles.
Meanwhile, future leaders can be prepared gradually through mentoring, coaching, competency development, and leadership experience.
“The solution to the leadership crisis is not by blaming Gen Z for not wanting to take promotions, but by building a work system that makes leadership compatible with family life and quality of life,” said Rahmi.
This phenomenon also indicates a change in the definition of career success. Job titles and work remain important, but they are no longer the sole benchmark of achievement. Family, health, social life, personal time, and well-being are increasingly taken into account by young workers. However, Rahmi emphasised that work-life balance does not mean avoiding responsibility or ceasing self-development.
“Balance does not mean reducing responsibility or limiting self-development, but being able to manage work and life healthily, remaining responsible, and continuing to grow,” she said.
“What we need to build is not a young generation that is ‘forced to chase titles’, but a young generation that has the capacity and willingness to lead because they see leadership as something meaningful, not as a sacrifice of their lives,” she concluded.