According to a psychology professor, members of Generation Z face heightened pressure in the workplace, largely due to the erosion of work-life boundaries facilitated by technology.
Kathleen Pike, a faculty member at Columbia University and the president and CEO of One Mind at Work, highlighted the differences in work environments between older generations and Gen Z. She noted that older professionals did not encounter the same technology-driven demands early in their careers.
Pike emphasized the contrast, stating, “When they [older generations] started out, it was a completely different world.” She pointed out that senior executives from previous generations didn’t have the constant connectivity provided by cellphones, the internet, or instant communication tools like FedEx.
The ubiquity of technology has eliminated the natural downtime that once existed, blurring the lines between work and personal life for younger professionals. Pike attributed much of Gen Z’s struggles to this phenomenon.
Previously, workers could disconnect once they left the office, but now, with constant connectivity, the distinction between work hours and personal time has become blurred. Gen Z is striving to reintroduce boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
Pike observed that trends like “act your wage” and “quiet quitting” are gaining traction among young professionals. These strategies involve maintaining minimal effort to keep their jobs while avoiding burnout.
While Gen Z is advocating for mental health awareness in the workplace, Pike cautioned against conflating normal emotions with mental illness. Stress and anxiety can serve as useful indicators to help individuals manage their workload, but they don’t always signify serious mental health issues.
Pike emphasized the importance of resilience and learning to navigate challenges in the workplace. She believes that success stems from acquiring skills, seeking assistance when needed, and developing capacity in ways that were not previously necessary, illustrating a crucial aspect of professional growth and maturity.
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