Entitlement or ambition? Gen Z and millennials seen as most entitled for raises and promotions

Do younger generations truly feel more entitled, or are they simply more ambitious? As the debate continues, new insights from a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey reveal that Gen Z (39 percent) and millennials (35 percent) are perceived as the most entitled when it comes to raises and promotions, followed by Gen X (18 percent) and boomers (8 percent).

However, this perception of entitlement may actually reflect the ambition and drive of younger workers, as 61 percent of U.S. hiring managers agree that younger employees are just as ambitious as older generations were at the start of their careers.

Some U.S. job-seekers say they haven’t seen a raise or promotion in the past two years, with more than 1 in 10 reporting they received a raise or promotion more than two years ago (12 percent) or never received one at all (11 percent).

Among those who have received a raise or promotion, the most common reasons include meeting individual accomplishments (40 percent), receiving positive performance evaluations (38 percent), receiving positive feedback from colleagues (37 percent), skill growth (31 percent) and company success (28 percent).

Most of those who received a raise or promotion (71 percent) report their employer proactively gave it to them, while only 29 percent proactively requested it. A significant 90 percent of job-seekers who received a raise or promotion felt entitled to it.

Looking ahead, wages are expected to rise in 2025, with more than three-quarters (77 percent) of hiring managers anticipating the average wage at their company will increase compared to 2024. Despite these plans, more than half (52 percent) of companies fear that they will be unable to meet employee expectations for benefits and compensation, potentially leading to higher turnover rates.

Raises and promotions are particularly interesting to employees, especially in light of ongoing inflation. Around half of hiring managers indicate raises and promotions at their company are determined by performance evaluations (53 percent) and individual accomplishments (48 percent). Fewer consider length of time with the company (38 percent) and employee desire (26 percent) in their decisions.

There is some optimism among job-seekers, though, with 46 percent believing overall wages will increase in 2025 compared to 2024, while only 14 percent expect a decrease.

“As we look at the changing workplace, it’s clear that every generation has its own way of seeking growth and recognition,” said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. “Whether it’s seen as entitlement or ambition, the push for raises and promotions shows employees’ desire to move forward and make meaningful contributions in their careers.”

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals Nov. 11-26, among 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers.