New Delhi:Gen Z entered the workforce with a reputation for being ambitious, adaptable and digitally fluent. Having grown up in an era dominated by smartphones, social media and constant connectivity, this generation is often praised for its ability to embrace technology and change with ease. Yet, despite these strengths, a growing number of young professionals are experiencing burnout within the first few years of their careers. According to Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS (India), the issue is not simply about younger employees struggling to cope with workplace pressures. Instead, it reflects a deeper shift in the way modern work operates.
The generation that doesn't go to sleep
Gen Z is the first generation to have grown up with the internet as an integral part of their lives. The availability of work emails, instant messaging platforms and collaboration tools makes it harder and harder to separate professional duties from personal time. There’s a lot of pressure for young professionals to prove themselves in the early years of their careers. They want to make a difference, move fast and prove their worth in competitive workplaces. Ambition is good, but it can also lead to a cycle of always being available and putting pressure on yourself. This has created greater challenges than ever before in switching off from work, with professional duties frequently spilling over well beyond the standard working hours.
Burnout isn’t simply about long hours
Burnout is usually linked to long hours and heavy workloads. But experts say the reality is far more complicated. “Burnout is often a result of prolonged mental and emotional stress,” said Dr Vora. Constant barrage of notifications, virtual meetings and workplace conversations leave little time for real recovery. This can lead to digital fatigue, decreased motivation and emotional exhaustion over time. Often, employees who seem to be productive and engaged on the surface are quietly struggling behind the scenes.
The need to win fast
One of the challenges Gen Z faces is that they want to move up the career ladder quickly. There is a lot of enthusiasm among young professionals to own projects and responsibilities. But enthusiasm can quickly turn to overload without clear direction and realistic expectations. Employees may overcommit because they fear that saying no might jeopardize future opportunities. This can lead to a situation where people are always busy, but do not know what is important, leading to greater stress and lower wellbeing overall.
“I have seen a 24-year-old employee of a multinational company who took on multiple assignments, answered late-night messages and attended back-to-back virtual meetings to impress her employer and was so exhausted by her ambition that she had to be hospitalised,” says Dr Vora. Within a few months she started to feel tired, irritable and unmotivated, all classic signs of burnout. The situation was made all the worse by a mismatch of expectations. Her manager saw her struggles as evidence that she wasn’t resilient enough, but she felt unsupported and overwhelmed.
Today’s workplaces are more and more plagued by these disconnects between managers and employees. What employees can do to protect themselves: Experts say preventing burnout requires a mix of personal boundaries and organizational support. Simple habits can make a difference — and a meaningful one — for employees. Having firm boundaries around work hours, prioritising sleep, exercising regularly, taking breaks from screens and having clarity around expectations can all help to reduce stress and support long-term wellbeing.
Dr Vora says organisations should not concentrate on employee availability 24/7, but on outcomes. Clear direction, less unnecessary after-hours communication and regular checks on employee wellbeing can do much to create healthier, more supportive workplaces. When employees feel trusted and supported instead of constantly monitored they are more likely to stay engaged, productive and resilient over the long term.
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