What Gen Z thinks of you
Gen Z, aka the Zoomers, were (disputably) born between 1997 and 2012. So they’re currently under 25—and shockingly—include my oldest child. The younger two are Alphas (tell me something I didn’t know).
Oracle and Workplace Intelligence have published a study showing that the pandemic has challenged workers' mental health differently based on age. Younger generations have struggled the most, with Gen Z and Millennials reporting that they are working harder, feeling more stressed, and most likely to burnout.
Nearly 90% of Gen Z said that the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health, with 93% indicating they want their companies to provide tech to support their wellbeing.
To understand this report better, I talked to some undergrads about their views on entering the workforce. Patterns in our conversations revealed:
It’s true, they do talk and think about mental health a lot
But suggest it’s us who have the problem
They feel pressure to create their own brands (especially on social media)
They know it’s tough out there—they have to have plans and be competitive
And are clear-eyed about whose fault our weird of world of work is (guess who 🪞)
Our call to action?
Help more. They want and need more feedback, and we need to be better at giving it. As well as normalising open discussions about mental health at work.
So go now and appreciate the Gen Zs in your life. Chris Oldnall (completing his Maths Masters at York): you’re utterly brilliant—thank you for delivering this newsletter so reliably. People tell me they can set their watches by it. No bloody snowflakery here!
Next week?
We’re exploring burnout with clinical psychologist & vlog regular Dr Bill Mitchell.
Which of us is most vulnerable to it?
Who has been hit during lockdown? (who never expected to be)
What we need to do
See you there.
Christine
P.S. THANK YOU to Nicole Sime and Oliver Hillman, both Fashion Communications students at Northumbria University for your insights (and glamour!).
