Avery Morgan examines Gen Z’s push for gender equality at work, revealing progress alongside persistent bias, pay gaps, and cultural barriers. Survey insights show young women’s call for reforms, salary transparency, and anti-harassment policies, highlighting the role of leadership in creating truly inclusive, equitable workplaces for all genders and generations.
Generation Z is often praised for pushing social justice and gender equality forward. A recent survey of 2000 Gen Z by EduBirdie found that 83% of young women and 59% of men identify as at least somewhat feminist, reflecting an overall shift in attitudes toward gender equality. Yet, despite these strides, outdated beliefs and systemic barriers persist, especially in the workplace.
Gender inequality: the unseen barrier
While Gen Z women continue to push for change, some of their male peers underestimate the challenges they face. A survey shows that 44% of Gen Z men think women earn less due to incompetence, and one in six still wouldn’t vote for a female president. Even more concerning, 36% of Gen Z men believe that gender equality has already been achieved, while one in three dismisses the gender pay gap as a myth.
1 in 4 women still doubt their competence compared to men in certain fields
Meanwhile, Gen Z women are experiencing workplace discrimination firsthand. In fact, 61% report facing bias, including sexist jokes, harassment, and lower pay. The struggle doesn’t end there. One in seven Gen Z women has been asked about their plans for children during a job interview, and one in three has felt judged for balancing work and family life. These outdated assumptions make it harder for women to advance in their careers.
Avery Morgan, Chief HR Officer at EduBirdie, explains that we are still far from achieving gender equality in the workplace, as sexism, the pay gap, and motherhood penalties continue to persist, impacting women’s self-worth. “In fact, 1 in 4 women still doubt their competence compared to men in certain fields. Overcoming these challenges will take sustained effort,” she adds.
The call for reform: what women want
Despite the challenges, young women’s resilience and determination continue to drive change in the workplace. It’s no surprise that, after working hard to earn respect, they are less likely to quit their jobs to support a high-earning partner (65%) compared to men (72%). This reflects a growing commitment to financial independence and career autonomy.
So, what will it take to level the playing field? First and foremost, Gen Z women are calling for policy reforms that can address their unique challenges. One of the most widely supported measures is menstrual leave, with 78% of Gen Z women endorsing this idea.
Other key reforms include stronger anti-harassment policies (66%), equal parental leave for both men and women (64%), and greater transparency in salary policies (60%).
The role of HR and leadership
“Creating a truly equal workplace isn’t just about policies, it’s about changing culture,” says Morgan. “HR professionals and senior leadership must take a proactive role in challenging stereotypes, addressing discrimination, and ensuring equal access to development opportunities.”
This means more than just setting rules. Companies need zero-tolerance policies for harassment and discrimination with clear reporting channels, bias-free hiring practices, and active investment in leadership development for women. A crucial step toward pay equity is salary transparency. Another EduBirdie survey found that 71% of Gen Zers support salary disclosure at work, a move that could accelerate the closing of the gender pay gap.
Share the commitment
Beyond policies, businesses must tackle everyday biases that hold women back, such as microaggressions, sexist remarks, and other inappropriate behaviour that often goes unchecked.
Gender equality requires commitment from all sectors. Women are leading the charge, but lasting change depends on continuous dialogue and shared responsibility. Then gender equality can become a lived reality, not just an aspiration.
Avery Morgan is Chief HR Officer at EduBirdie
