Deloitte: Clean Up Supply Chains or Lose Gen Z Employees

Deloitte’s annual look into the views of Gen Z and Millennials reveals how strongly these generations feel about sustainability—not just as a vague principle but as a factor that affects whether they take or leave a job.

Their stance is reshaping workplace expectations and placing real pressure on businesses to clean up operations, especially supply chains.

Deloitte Global surveys more than 23,000 Gen Z and Millennial respondents across 44 countries. Now in its 14th year, the research offers a window into what shapes their working lives, with a spotlight this year on how sustainability is influencing decisions.

By 2030, Gen Z and Millennials are expected to make up 74% of the global workforce. Their expectations are not the same as earlier generations—they seek not only good pay but also purpose, growth and well-being. For many, that starts with how seriously a company treats its environmental responsibilities.

Deloitte’s survey finds that 70% of respondents consider a company’s environmental credentials to be important when evaluating a job. A quarter say they research a company’s environmental policies before accepting an offer and around 15% have left jobs because of concerns over sustainability.

What’s more telling is that around 40% report rejecting offers or leaving roles where company values don’t align with their own.

Elizabeth Faber, Global Chief People & Purpose Officer at Deloitte, says: "As Gen Zs and Millennials navigate a rapidly changing world of work, they are re-evaluating the capabilities they need to succeed and the support they want from their employers.”

One of the survey’s clearest messages is that these generations want businesses to walk the talk.

Around half of respondents say they have actively pushed their employers to improve on environmental issues. That pressure is being applied not just at board level but across supply chains—an area many companies still treat as separate from direct sustainability efforts.

Supply chains are now under the spotlight

Behind most company pledges to go green lies a network of suppliers, transport links and manufacturing systems—what's broadly known as the supply chain. It’s here that Gen Z and Millennials are focusing their attention.

They are increasingly aware that buying patterns and production methods contribute to climate damage, and they want the companies they work for to do something about it. With more than half of respondents willing to pay more for sustainable goods and services, there's growing concern about the hidden costs within supply chains.

The result is that companies are being held accountable not just for what they sell but also for how and where it’s made.

Mattias Medert, Global Head of Sustainability at software firm SAP, posted his response to the findings on LinkedIn.

He acknowledges the broader failures of his generation and sees hope in what Deloitte has uncovered: “Our world stands at a critical turning point. The risks from environmental, economic and social crises are growing—and we are running out of time to act.

“If we are honest, my generation is struggling to make the big, globally aligned and effective changes that are needed. That is why the latest Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial Survey gave me real hope.”

Mattias adds that younger generations have not yet given up on tackling climate change and continue to expect strong, united action. He sees their expectations not as a challenge but a way forward.

Home and workplace habits now overlap

This year’s survey also explores how Gen Z and Millennials bring their sustainability values into daily life.

Many are taking practical steps—choosing electric or hybrid vehicles, swapping appliances for more energy-efficient ones and researching brands before making purchases.

Around 25% say they check a company’s environmental impact before buying its products. Two thirds say they feel anxious about the environment and more than 70% say they’ve experienced extreme weather events within the past year.

That sense of urgency carries into the workplace. As businesses are judged on everything from how their suppliers operate to how they package goods, the message is clear: expectations have shifted.