The kids aren’t alright—and neither are the millennials.
Burnout is prevalent among all ages and across all industries, from entry-level employees to middle managers and even corporate board members. But one group is feeling the stress most acutely. About 66% of millennials report moderate or high levels of burnout, according to a recent report from Aflac. Gen X trails closely behind with a reported burnout rate of 60%, and Gen Z follows, with a rate of 56%. Baby boomers report the least amount of burnout of the generations, with 39%.
While many external stressors are present today for all generations, including economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest, there are certain challenges unique to millennials, defined as people born between 1981 and 1996. This group is struggling to balance the competing demands of work and family with inadequate support structures in place.
“One possible explanation for the higher levels of burnout among millennials could be their unique career pressures and expectations,” the report states. Those include “more demanding work environments than other generations—defined by constant connectivity, high performance expectations and a competitive job market.”
It’s also important to note that millennial workers are increasingly part of the “sandwich generation”: adults who are responsible for taking care of both children and aging parents. Over 60% of workers who juggle these dual responsibilities are concerned about burnout, according to a report from Principal Financial.
“The mental load [of caregiving] permeates the workplace; it goes just beyond the four walls of your home, especially in a more interconnected world,” Wes Burke, chief human resources officer at Care.com, previously told Fortune. “[It] has an impact on attendance, productivity, and overall quality of life for the employee, [while also having] a lot of impact for the employer.”
With increased demands on this specific generation of caregivers, other studies have shown that it’s in a company’s best interest to ensure millennials have the resources and benefits that they need to succeed.
To address burnout overall, the Aflac report recommends employers embrace flexible work options, including hybrid work models, and offer employees more PTO. It also suggests that providing comprehensive health and well-being benefits, such as company-sponsored self-care programs, can be beneficial for workers struggling to find time for themselves.
“Tackling burnout is key to helping millennials — and other age groups — thrive,” the report says. “People who experience high levels of burnout are much more likely to suffer from severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress — so the stakes couldn’t be higher.”
