Burnout is rampant. Around half of Gen Zs (49%) and 46% of millennials say they feel burned out because of their work environment. These numbers have stayed stubbornly high since 2021, showing that temporary well-being perks aren’t cutting it. What’s clear: they’re tired, and they want structural change, not just mental health webinars.
Money stress is rising, too. While pay is still the top reason people change jobs, financial anxiety is bleeding into every part of life. Nearly six in ten Gen Zs and millennials worry about living paycheck to paycheck—and many say it affects their long-term decisions, like having kids or buying a home.
Despite this, these generations aren’t disengaging. They care deeply about the values of the organizations they work for. More than 60% say they research a company’s environmental impact and treatment of workers before accepting a job. Gen Z especially wants to see companies walk the talk on climate and DEI—and they’re not afraid to call them out when they don’t.
Flexibility still matters. Both Gen Z and millennials rate flexible hours and remote options among the top reasons to stay in a job. But what they really want is respect for their time. That means no more “always on” culture, real boundaries, and leadership that listens when workers say they’re overwhelmed.
The pressure to be “always productive” has blurred the line between work and life. That’s especially true for Gen Zs working in hybrid roles—many say they struggle more with mental health than their fully remote or on-site peers. The message? Hybrid isn’t a silver bullet. Companies have to go deeper if they want to support mental well-being.
There’s a bigger cultural shift happening: these generations want their work to reflect their values. More than a third of Gen Zs say they’ve turned down employers that don’t align with their beliefs. For them, purpose isn’t a bonus—it’s part of the job description.
