Gen Z workers are experiencing some of the highest levels of burnout ever recorded, with new research indicating they are struggling under unprecedented stress. While burnout affects all age groups, Gen Z and millennials are reporting “peak burnout” at much earlier ages. In the United States, a survey of 2,000 adults revealed that a quarter of Americans feel burnt out before reaching 30.
Similarly, a British study conducted over 18 months following the COVID-19 pandemic found that burnout levels among Gen Z reached 80%. The BBC had previously reported similar findings. Globally, a survey across 11 countries involving over 13,000 front-line employees and managers showed that Gen Z workers were more likely to feel burnt out (83%) compared to other employees (75%).
Understanding Burnout Among Gen Z
Burnout can manifest differently across individuals and professions, but researchers generally agree on its core features. It occurs when there is a mismatch between what a worker expects from their job and the actual demands of the job. This can include ambiguous tasks, an overload of responsibilities, or insufficient resources and skills to meet job demands.
Burnout typically progresses through three stages. Initially, fatigue is the most noticeable symptom, followed by cynicism or depersonalization, leading to alienation from one’s work. This detachment eventually results in a declining sense of personal accomplishment or self-efficacy.
Why Gen Z is Particularly Vulnerable
Several factors make Gen Z especially susceptible to burnout. Many entered the workforce during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by significant upheaval, social isolation, and changing work protocols. These conditions disrupted the informal learning that typically occurs through everyday interactions with colleagues, which was difficult to replicate in remote work settings.
Additionally, broader economic pressures have intensified. As economist Pavlina Tcherneva notes, the “death of the social contract and the enshittification of jobs”—the expectation that a university education would lead to a well-paying job—has left many young people navigating a more precarious landscape. Economic disruptions, widening inequality, rising housing and living costs, and the increase in precarious employment have placed greater financial pressures on this generation.
Moreover, the restructuring of work due to artificial intelligence presents another challenge. Workplace strategist Ann Kowal Smith highlights that Gen Z is the first generation to enter a labor market defined by a “new architecture of work: hybrid schedules that fragment connection, automation that strips away context, and leaders too busy to model judgment.”
Addressing the Burnout Crisis
If you are feeling burnt out, it is important to know that you are not overreacting and you are not alone. Fortunately, there are ways to recover. One of the most overlooked remedies for burnout is combating the alienation and isolation it creates. Building connections with others, starting with work colleagues, can help. This could be as simple as checking in with a teammate after a meeting or setting up a weekly coffee with a colleague.
It is also crucial to abandon the notion that excessive work equates to better work. Setting boundaries by blocking out time in your calendar and clearly signaling your availability to colleagues can help manage workload effectively.
Workplace Solutions
While individual coping strategies are important, fundamental solutions must come from workplaces themselves. Employers need to offer more flexible work arrangements, including wellness and mental health supports. Leaders and managers should communicate job expectations clearly, and workplaces should have policies to proactively review and redistribute excessive workloads.
Kowal Smith suggests creating a new “architecture of learning” in the workplace that includes mentorship, provides feedback loops, and rewards curiosity and agility. These efforts could humanize the workplace, reduce burnout, and improve engagement, even as AI continues to influence work environments.
A workplace that functions better for Gen Z ultimately benefits everyone. As a longstanding university educator and father of two Gen Z members, the levels of burnout in today’s workplace are alarming. Rather than dismissing young workers as distracted or overly demanding of work-life balance, it is worth considering that they are highlighting systemic issues that need addressing.
