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Prioritizing mental health -

Generation Z is transforming the concept of sick days by emphasizing the importance of mental health. Unlike previous generations, they recognize that stress, anxiety, and burnout are legitimate reasons to take time off.

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Boundaries -

Gen Zers are taking the initiative by setting boundaries when it comes to their professional lives. They are redefining sick days by advocating for preventive self-care, which has been making waves in the professional world.

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Preventive self-care -

Gen Z is more likely to take a day off at the first sign of illness to prevent worsening conditions. More than previous generations, they are prioritizing long-term health instead of pushing through sickness for the sake of a job.

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Sick leave -

In the US alone, the amount of sick leave taken by employees has increased to 55% compared to the meager 26% that was taken in 2019. Most of this is thanks to the pandemic, which made people more conscious of their health and the importance of taking time off.

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Leading the shift -

Among all age groups, Gen Z workers (particularly those aged 25 to 34) are taking more sick days than older employees. Work commitments have slowly become secondary to personal health and well-being.

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Sabbaticals - Gen Z workers are not only taking more sick days, but also more extended leaves and sabbaticals. Workers aged 22 to 26 are the most likely to take extended time off.

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Presenteeism -

Gen Z has also been trying to dismantle “presenteeism,” where employees show up to work while sick. Employees who work while ill are less productive, and their prolonged recovery can negatively impact their performance and possibly the health of others.

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Risks -

Working while sick can have long-term negative effects on health and productivity. It can prolong illness, reduce work quality, and ultimately harm both the employee and the organization.

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Remote work -

Gen Z has often been the most vocal advocate for the flexibility to work from home if they are feeling under the weather but not incapacitated, which allows them to manage their workload while also taking the necessary rest.

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Destigmatizing sick days -

Gen Z is working to destigmatize taking sick days by openly discussing health in the workplace. Transparency is key for Gen Z, and unlike many previous generations, they advocate for an honest approach to work culture.

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Laziness -

Previous generations have considered sick days to be a reflection of laziness or being non-committal, but Gen Z is strongly encouraging the complete opposite.

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Economy -

In a world where economic hardship has become almost an expected condition of living, Gen Z has taken a stand to ensure that they do not overburden themselves without appropriate compensation.

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Quality vs quantity -

Generation Z is also redefining the relationship between jobs and health by emphasizing the quality of work as opposed to the sheer quantity of hours worked. They believe that taking time off when sick leads to higher-quality performance once recovered.

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Empathy -

While most professional environments cater strictly to business, Gen Z is fostering a culture of empathy in the workplace. They believe that understanding and support from employers and peers lead to a more motivated team, where everyone’s well-being is prioritized.

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Policy changes -

Gen Z is not only pushing for changes in their workplaces, but also advocating for broader societal shifts in how sick days are perceived and managed. They support policies that ensure all workers have access to paid sick leave and recognize that this is essential for public health.

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In the United States -

In the US, employees are commonly provided only one hour of sick time for every 30 hours they work. This is about an hour for every week of full-time employment, since the average employee works about 36.4 hours per week.

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Vacation -

As Gen Z enters the workplace more frequently in the United States, they are advocating for more sick day allowances, since vacation days are not federally mandated. The majority of US-based employers only provide their workers eight days of vacation time.

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Anxiety and burnout -

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, reports indicate that there has been a significant rise in anxiety and burnout in the workplace, particularly among Gen Z.

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Physical vs mental -

Many traditional concepts of sick leave only seem to address physical illness, but Gen Z has expanded this understanding to include mental health. Workers are increasingly taking days off to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout.

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Broadening reasons -

The reasons for taking sick leave have broadened, with mental health now being a significant factor. This is especially true as more and more experts become better acquainted with mental illnesses and the human brain.

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Employer-employee loyalty -

As headlines about layoffs and job insecurity spread around the world, younger workers may be less inclined to make sacrifices for their jobs and instead prioritize their long-term health and safety.

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Always available -

The pressure to be constantly available and the glorification of overwork are toxic traits of American work culture. Technology has made it difficult for employees to fully disconnect, and workers often undertake "quiet vacations" where people work during their time off.

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Job insecurity -

Job insecurity can also force people to work while sick. Employees who are worried about their job security may feel compelled to work through illness to demonstrate their commitment to their employer.

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Attendance -

One of the issues with Gen Z’s approach is that employers may remember which employees frequently take time off and may view it negatively. This could affect promotions or job security, especially if the employee is considered as not being committed to their job.

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Balance -

While it is crucial to set boundaries between work and personal life, employees must balance this with job security. Overly rigid boundaries could lead to job loss.

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Fully disconnecting -

It is also important to fully disconnect from work during time off to recover and recharge. Constant connectivity through technology can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.

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Right to disconnect -

Some countries around the world have implemented “right to disconnect” legislation, where employees are not legally obligated to answer work communication outside of office hours.

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Benefits -

While there are risks, Gen Z's approach to work-life balance and health could lead to positive changes in the workplace. This generation may help create a more sustainable work environment for everyone.

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Future -

The future of work culture remains uncertain. Both employees and employers are under a lot of pressure to balance health while maintaining performance. The choices made in the coming years will shape this future.

Sources: (Business Insider) (Fortune) (Yahoo Finance)

See also: The important link between mental health and the body

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