MILLENNIALS AND Generation Z believe racial and religious diversity is a more important factor than an environment which promotes merit and competition when it comes to creating the ideal workplace, according to a new report.

Research by John Zogby Strategies found that more than half of Millennials and Generation Z (51 per cent) think diversity of race, ethnicity and religion is paramount, compared to 42 per cent of Boomers (age 55-74) and 48 per cent of Generation X (age 40-54).

The survey by father and son pollsters John and Jeremy Zogby, found that Millennials, those born between 1980 and 1997, are more likely (46 per cent) to believe global warming is man-made, as opposed to a natural phenomenon, and a crisis that needs to be addressed immediately.

Similarly 52 per cent of Generation Z, those born between 1998 and 2001, strongly believe climate change is caused by human activity and requires instant action.

While the pollsters’ analysis looked at US residents, both generations views on climate change reveal a synergy with the beliefs of young people in the UK.

Tens of thousands of young people across Britain have been taking part in protests against climate change in recent weeks.

“What Boomers have begun by challenging authority and Gen X’ers have fostered, trust yourself over institutions, Millennials have driven home in a big way,” said pollsters said.

“They place a premium on diversity over merit, believe it is the role of businesses to primarily protect the environment as opposed to the top priority being job creation and prefers new systems of problem-solving (i.e. the wisdom of the crowd) over top-down hierarchy,” they added.

The authors of the report, who have been conducting research on Millennials for two decades, have predicted that future leaders are likely to be less focused on hierarchy, which could lead to power shifting away from centralised institutions, citing the example of blockchain technology as an example of the kind of change to come