
The workplace has shifted dramatically in the past two decades, but one question remains constant: Do people feel fulfilled by their work? According to this YouGov survey, only about half of Americans believe their job makes "a meaningful contribution to the world." That number plummets even further when looking at millennials and Gen Zers. These findings highlight a growing divide between what employees want and what many companies deliver.
Here’s what leaders need to know about bridging that gap—and why embedding purpose into the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a must-have.
The Growing Disconnect Between Work and Meaning
In the YouGov survey, 47% of working Americans said they believe their job is meaningful, while 16% outright said it wasn’t. Millennials and Gen Zers were the least likely to see their work as meaningful. This growing dissatisfaction should be a flashing neon sign for leaders.
Younger employees want more than a paycheck. They crave impact, transparency, and values that align with their own.
Why Meaning Matters
Purpose-driven employees are more engaged, creative, and loyal. Research from Gallup shows that teams with high engagement report a 21% increase in profitability and 41% lower absenteeism. When employees feel connected to their work, everyone wins.
So why aren’t more companies prioritizing meaning? Often, it’s because leaders underestimate how much it matters—or they overcomplicate what it takes to integrate purpose into everyday operations.
The Millennial and Gen Z Mindset
Millennials and Gen Zers grew up during major global shifts: economic recessions, a climate crisis, and rapid technological innovation. These experiences shaped their expectations.
According to the article, younger generations are far more likely to demand alignment between personal values and company missions. If that alignment is missing, they’ll walk away—whether through quiet quitting or outright resignation.
The Sustainability Link
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a rallying cry for younger workers. For millennials and Gen Z, climate action and workplace meaning often go hand in hand. They want to see their employers take bold steps to reduce waste, cut carbon, and make a difference.
But too often, corporate sustainability initiatives feel top-down and disconnected from individual employees.
Gamifying Purpose: A New Way Forward
That’s where tools like Viro for Microsoft Teams come in. By gamifying sustainability challenges and linking individual actions to measurable company impact, Viro transforms abstract goals into tangible achievements.
Imagine employees competing to save carbon, logging eco-actions in Teams, and seeing real-time progress toward company goals. This approach taps into intrinsic motivators: collaboration, competition, and purpose.
The Role of HR in Creating Meaning
HR professionals are uniquely positioned to integrate purpose into the employee experience. By fostering workplace programs that align personal values with company objectives, HR can drive engagement and retention.
Start with small wins: offer volunteer opportunities, launch a sustainability challenge, or celebrate employees who lead with purpose.
Metrics Matter: Tracking Impact
Employees want to see the impact of their efforts. That’s why data transparency is crucial. Tools like Viro provide EPA-verified metrics, so employees know exactly how much carbon pollution they’ve prevented or waste they’ve diverted.
This sense of contribution is a powerful antidote to disconnection.
Leadership Needs a Purpose Overhaul
Company leaders must understand that mission statements on a wall aren’t enough. Purpose must be actionable, measurable, and woven into the daily fabric of work.
When leaders actively support sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives, they set the tone for the entire organization.
Turning the Tide with Viro
The data is clear: employees want their work to mean something, and companies that fail to deliver will lose talent to those that do. Viro for Microsoft Teams makes it easy to connect employee actions to meaningful company-wide impact.
Ready to turn sustainability from a corporate goal into a shared mission? Learn more about how Viro can help you inspire purpose, boost engagement, and reduce carbon pollution—all from within Microsoft Teams.
Purpose isn’t a trend—it’s a competitive advantage. Are you ready to embrace it?
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