Technical roles place importance on flexibility, development, rewards, organizational purpose, stability, and support. Limited quantitative evidence has tested these factors simultaneously among Generation Z employees in private construction companies in Metro Manila. This study examined the relationships between six retention factors and retention intent and identified which factors independently predicted employees’ intention to remain with their current employer. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was used with 302 qualified Generation Z employees from private construction firms in Metro Manila; the final respondents were 24 to 30 years old. A researcher-developed, expert-validated questionnaire was analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Respondents strongly valued flexible work arrangements (M = 4.54), career growth as reflected in willingness to leave when growth opportunities were unavailable (M = 4.50), and work-life balance (M = 4.27). Project-based employment instability was the highest-rated retention challenge (M = 3.51). All six retention factors were significantly related to retention intent; well-being and support had the strongest observed association (r = .623, p < .001). The regression model explained 45.5% of the variance in retention intent (R² = .455). Significant predictors were well-being and support (β = .556, p < .001), career development (β = .270, p = .006), employer branding and purpose (β = .219, p = .018), and compensation and rewards (β = .146, p = .021). The findings distinguish highly valued employment preferences from factors with unique predictive effects. Private construction firms should prioritize well-being and supportive leadership, structured career development, credible organizational purpose, and fair rewards, while using role-specific flexibility and project-to-project workforce planning to support retention.

Keywords: Generation Z, employee retention, construction management, private construction companies, workplace well-being, Metro Manila