For Gen Z Pros, Work is Not an Identity. Contractors Should Take Note.
Date Posted: June 30, 2026
Posted In: Workforce,
From Construction Dive: Corey Silverman has a passion for poker.
He got invested in playing Texas Hold ’em in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reading books and watching YouTube videos to delve into the math and strategy behind the game.
Silverman, 29, works as a safety specialist for construction risk management platform Highwire. There, he says he has the time to pursue both professional goals and personal interests.
“I have a lot of hobbies and interests outside of work, and I really view work as a means to support me, give me stability, so I’m able to pursue those hobbies,” Silverman said.
Work-life balance means different things to different people, especially across generations. Billionaire Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame decried the notion, saying he hopes people seeking work-life balance go and work for his competitors, per Fortune.
But Generation Z, or those born starting in 1997, puts immense value on work-life balance, with some even taking charge of creating that harmony regardless of their work situation, according to a 2024 report from SurveyMonkey.
That presents construction employers, eager to capitalize on Gen Z as “The Toolbelt generation,” with a gamble. Do they fold and walk away from potential workers who see a job as a means to an end, or go all-in on helping the emerging workforce optimize both their time at work and away from it?
Gen Z isn’t clock-watching
Silverman started his career at a general contractor. He made the change from working for a builder to a tech startup because construction was known for its long, unpredictable hours. Building a structure takes as long as it takes. Meeting the timeline often means early mornings and late nights.