For MZ Workers, Ethics and Values Now Matter as Much as Salary

Younger Korean Workers Prioritize Ethics and Values Over High Salaries (Image supported by ChatGPT)

SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A growing number of South Korean office workers in their 20s and 30s say that no paycheck is worth compromising on workplace ethics, fairness, and alignment with personal values — a shift reshaping the country’s job market and corporate culture.

According to a survey released Wednesday by JobKorea’s Content Lab, 34.5% of respondents said they would avoid working for a company with unethical executives, regardless of salary. The sentiment was most pronounced among younger workers, with 36.4% of those in their 20s and 34.5% in their 30s holding that view, compared to 30.8% of those in their 40s and older.

The second most-cited deal-breaker (33.9%) was corporate values and operational style that clash with personal beliefs, reflecting a trend among the MZ generation (millennials and Gen Z) to prioritize work-life alignment over traditional markers like job security or pay.

Other red flags for employees included unfair compensation systems (30.6%), vague work directives (25.6%), and low-energy office environments (15.4%).

When asked what values matter most at work, the top response across all age groups was work-life balance (50.3%), particularly among those in their 20s and 30s. Recognition and fair rewards (44.6%) and growth opportunities (35.3%) followed, with older respondents emphasizing compensation, while younger workers valued personal development more.

To foster job engagement, nearly half (49.8%) of respondents cited the importance of clear goals and direction, followed closely by roles tailored to individual capabilities (48.2%) and constructive feedback on performance (38.2%).

However, when it comes to identifying companies that align with their values, 51.8% said it’s nearly impossible to know before joining. Others rely on industry contacts, employer review platforms (42%), or the tone of the job interview (35.3%) to make informed decisions.

“Workers no longer just want a job — they want to know who they’re working with, what kind of culture they’re entering, and whether their values are reflected,” said Byun Ji-sung, Head of Content Marketing at JobKorea. “Companies can no longer compete on brand name and benefits alone. Cultural fit, leadership integrity, and growth potential are now central to talent acquisition.”

JobKorea said it is expanding its AI-driven job-matching platforms to help job seekers find companies that align with their personal values and career goals. Through its Content Lab, the firm continues to publish data-driven insights into evolving work culture and generational career preferences.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)