Learning to Stay or Choosing to Leave: Workplace Environment and Retention of Gen Z Employees in Indian Five-Star Hotels

Abstract

          This paper aims to investigate the workplace environment and retention challenges faced by Gen Z employees in India's hospitality sector. It is based on pilot purposive interviews with early-career professionals working in select five-star hotels. The pilot exploratory study examines factors like satisfaction, dissatisfaction, motivation, leadership, work-life balance and career development within hotel settings. The findings show some clear contrasts. Employees appreciate opportunities for passion-driven learning, skill development and recognition. However, they also face structural barriers such as long working hours, low salaries, limited flexibility and inconsistent managerial support. The stories from participants illustrate the conflict between their career aspirations and the demanding, sometimes exploitative, realities of the industry, with existing cultural connotations also playing a part. Gen Z employees demonstrate resilience, creativity and optimism about their career growth. Still, they report high physical and mental pressure, weak feedback systems and gender bias. These factors all contribute to a decreased long-term commitment to the sector. The pilot also highlights generational differences: unlike older staff who accept long hours as normalized routines in the Indian mid and high sector market, younger-employees(age-defined), value well-being, fairness and personal growth, making them more likely to leave if their expectations are not met. Methodologically, this study uses a qualitative, exploratory design through semi-structured interviews framed by variables related to the workplace environment. Acknowledging the limitations of the sample size, the pilot reveals key themes for an extensive extended project. These include the need for supportive leadership, clear reward systems, stronger diversity practices and policies that match Gen Z's expectations of purpose and work-life balance in particular cultural and geographic settings. The study provides research that improving employee retention requires rethinking management practices to fit generational values while maintaining service excellence in India's hospitality sector.