Workers under 30 in the U.S. are struggling with remote work and experiencing more stress in the wake of COVID-19 than their older counterparts, according to a meQuilibrium COVID impact study of 7,000 workers.
“Remote work is hardest on young Millennials and Gen Z, because they feel less connected and high pressure,” says Andrew Shatte’, PhD., Chief Knowledge Officer and co-founder, meQuilibrium. “They are more worried about their success, more concerned about losing their jobs and report a higher sense of loneliness.”
Key findings
meQuilibrium’s study of 7,000 workers in the U.S. was conducted in June 2020. It found that this younger group is more at risk of burnout and low motivation than older workers, who are more established and connected to their workplace.
The study found that younger Millennials and workers under 30 are:
- 34% more worried about their success
- 15% more concerned about their jobs
- 29% reported more difficulty with motivation
- 33% more likely to feel sick with worry
- 24% higher sense of loneliness
Pandemic pressures
“The pile on of pressures – financial challenges, worry about job loss, and the long term cost to their careers – has Gen Z and young Millennials feeling under water,” says Dr. Shatte’. “Remote work has made them feel less connected, less informed and missing out on the mentorship that young people need, especially in a work-from-home world.”
The power of mentoring
“Mentoring is a key factor in helping young workers cope with pandemic-related challenges and can alleviate the potential cost to their careers,” Dr. Shatte’ says. “The guidance of more established employees is especially helpful to workers experiencing high distress and mentorship will continue to be an important element in places where remote work is here to stay and as we transition into a hybrid world and back into physical workplaces.”
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