According to the BBC, a 2022 survey showed that more Gen Z employees were burned out than other generations. How is Gen Z already tired of working at this early stage of their careers? Factors like the pandemic, inflation, and pressure to perform are taking a toll on their mental health. Here are 10 reasons why Gen Z burnout is on the rise, causing young workers to feel overstressed and overworked.
1. Pressure To Perform
As the youngest generational cohort in the workplace, Gen Z feels pressure to perform and prove they have a strong work ethic. According to CNBC, Gen Zers work more overtime compared to older Gen X employees.
They may not know how to enact healthy boundaries at work yet or say no to tasks when they have too much on their plate. Instead of negotiating deadlines, they’ll stay up late to burn the midnight oil, leading to Gen Z burnout.
2. Side Hustles
Many Gen Zers have side jobs to keep up with the high cost of living or meet their financial goals faster. Working a lot is associated with Gen Z burnout. So young adults who are putting long hours into both their main job and side hustles may feel greater career stress.
3. Effects of the Pandemic
According to a 2021 survey, Gen Z was one of the generations that was most negatively impacted by the pandemic. Out of all age groups, they were most likely to say that the pandemic had affected their mental health.
The youth unemployment rate was extremely high during lockdown, which likely contributed to Gen Z’s stress. Emerging adults who had trouble finding jobs during COVID may feel extra pressure to work hard, causing additional career stress.
4. Social Media Overuse
Gen Z is constantly on their phones, which may be contributing to their burnout. They spend an average of 4.5 hours on social media daily. Due to social media overuse, Gen Z may have trouble unwinding after work.
Staying plugged into their phones also increases the chances they’ll see and respond to work emails after hours, perpetuating the cycle of overwork and Gen Z burnout.
5. Economic Uncertainty
Many Gen Zers are facing financial uncertainty, juggling challenges such as student debt, high housing costs, and fears of being laid off due to all the tech cuts this year. Economic factors like inflation, high interest rates, and the possibility of a recession may be exacerbating Gen Z’s feelings of stress and anxiety.
6. Remote Work Burnout
In contrast with other generations, Gen Z tends to prefer hybrid work arrangements over fully remote work according to NewsWeek. Younger employees may struggle to navigate remote work and learn everything they need to know about their industry virtually.
Networking might also be more challenging for Gen Z workers in a digital environment than an office setting. Due to the challenges they’re having with telecommuting, Gen Zers may feel less prepared to move up the career ladder and tackle new challenges at work, contributing to burnout.
7. Normalization of Hustle Culture
Millennials normalized hustle culture, popularizing phrases like “rise and grind.” Since Gen Z grew up on social media, they may have internalized hustle-centric messages at a young age. “Girl boss” culture might have caused Gen Z to develop unhealthy ideas about work, contributing to their lack of work-life balance and chronic stress.
8. Pressure to Change the World
Gen Z is often characterized by its strong sense of social justice and desire to make a positive impact on the world. However, the weight of societal issues such as climate change, racial injustice, and political unrest can be emotionally taxing and contribute to Gen Z burnout.
This pressure to change the world may also carry over into their careers. Gen Zers want to have meaningful careers and feel like they’re making a difference. According to Stanford, emerging adults also feel responsible for holding their employers accountable to social causes. If their job or employer doesn’t meet their idealistic expectations, they may start to feel disconnected and burnt out at work.
9. Stigmatization of Mental Health Issues
Despite growing awareness and destigmatization efforts, mental health issues are still often met with silence or judgment. This can make it challenging for Gen Z to seek help and support for burnout and other mental health concerns. Asking for workplace accommodations for burnout may be especially challenging due to the fear that it will have a negative impact on their careers.
10. Negative Myths About Their Work Ethic
Negative myths about Gen Z and their work ethic may also contribute to their chronic career stress and pressure to perform. According to Forbes, common untruths about Gen Z persist in the workplace, such as the beliefs that they’re entitled, unmotivated, and difficult to manage. Gen Zers may be afraid to speak up for themselves and push back when they’re given too much work due to fears of being labeled as lazy.
Healing From Burnout
The good news is that healing from burnout is possible. By prioritizing rest and self-care, Gen Z can form a healthier relationship with work and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.