Geese Project

The kids are not alright: Gen Z and millennial workers are struggling and it’s time for managers to pay attention

by Emma Burleigh

Young workers are struggling with their mental health. Gen Z and millennial employees are missing work, calling in sick, and are sinking into burnout at higher rates than other generations. 

Only 34% of global workers describe themselves as “thriving” according to a new report from workplace analytics company Gallup – down one percentage point from the year prior. But the proportion of staffers under the age of 35 who say they’re thriving dropped to 31% in 2023, compared to 35% the year before. That means that young employees have the lowest percentage of flourishing workers, and have also experienced the biggest drop in morale. About 20% of global staffers surveyed also said they felt lonely, compared to 22% of staffers under 35, according to the report.

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