Stress is #Trending

I don’t generally view myself as a stressed person. In fact, I occasionally view myself as too much fun to be stressed out. I even often wonder why my friends are so stressed at work. They should do their best and keep moving, right? Throughout my childhood it was always, “champions adjust,” and “you cannot control what is happening,” etc. Looking back, that was some strong, resilience building advice. Thanks Mom!?

I really do contemplate those statements while I lay awake at night wondering if I will ever be able to book enough sales calls, if that mole on my leg has changed, and what cheese I should buy for that party I’m hosting in two weeks.

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Okay, so I live in a constant state of moderate stress. The truth is, I’m no different from everyone else in my generation. We need constant stimulation in order to not be alone with our thoughts ??. Work is no exception to this rule. According to Forbes CFO Daily , 80% of Gen Z and millennials report being stressed out, and are mostly looking towards employers for the answers.?

So then, what are the answers? What can employers do to manage the stress of their employees, especially as new Gen Zers flood the workforce each year??

1. Toss the old ideals of what work is - The concept of “living to work” has been a staple phrase of American work culture since the end of WWII. When an employee is culturally influenced by an administration to believe that work is the most important aspect of life, stress skyrockets. Just check out this article from People Management.
2. Invest in sustainable employee wellbeing - It has become increasingly clear that employers have every reason to prioritize employee wellbeing. Not only does this lead to profit, employees who are well are engaged, productive, and less likely to leave their roles. This investment in people includes embracing Flexible Work. This article from Harvard Business Review further demonstrates the all around benefits.?Sidenote: It’s important for any program that increases employee wellbeing to be effective, sustainable, and measurable. ??
3. Stop relying on universities to take care of Gen Z - It’s true, college does prepare students for the real world. In most ways. Yes, managing classes, assignments, social activities, and physical health inevitably results in better skills. However, college does not prepare young professionals with soft skills in the context of work. For example, maintaining control over one’s calendar, prioritizing the right work at the right time, dealing with a lack of movement from sitting all day, just to name a few.?While few universities are striving to prepare graduates for the reality of work, companies must hone in on maintaining soft skills training to keep employees happy, engaged, and productive.?

So, in this age of never-ending stress, employers have a remarkable opportunity to access the untapped potential of Gen Z. We're here, and eager to make our mark! By offering us a lifeline, the potential for transformative results is boundless. This isn't just a plea from a young professional; it's a roadmap. While it's true that "champions adjust," with the right policies in place, we ALL become champions.?

About Me

Hello! I'm Gigi, the Growth and Customer Experience Manager at BillionMinds . If you enjoyed this article, I'd love to hear from you! Even if you didn't, I'm still up for a chat. Feel free to message me or comment below, and follow me for more similar content.

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