Young workers hit hardest by burnout | Revealed: The most irritating email behaviors | The JARS guide to building adaptability

Young workers face rising burnout crisis, new study reveals

A concerning trend has emerged in the UK workforce as younger employees increasingly struggle with workplace burnout and stress, according to a comprehensive new study by Mental Health UK . The charity's Annual Burnout Report 2025, which surveyed over 4,400 UK adults, highlights a growing generational divide in workplace wellbeing and stress management.

The study reveals that workers aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable to workplace stress, with nearly half reporting significant challenges. This age group faces multiple pressure points, including:

?? 48% regularly work unpaid overtime

?? 46% have taken on additional hours due to cost-of-living pressures

?? 44% report feeling isolated at work

The situation appears equally challenging for those aged 25-34, with 56% reporting high stress due to increased workload and 45% expressing fears about job security.

Perhaps most alarming is the sharp decline in young workers' willingness to discuss their mental health challenges with management. The survey highlighted that the proportion of 18-24-year-olds comfortable speaking to their line managers about stress has plummeted from 75% to 56% in just one year, signalling a concerning breakdown in workplace trust.

The study also highlights a significant disparity in work-life balance between generations. Only one-third of 18-24-year-olds report being able to "switch off" from work when needed, compared to 46% of workers aged 55 and above. This inability to disconnect appears to be taking a toll on young workers' overall wellbeing.

The report uncovers concerning patterns of presenteeism, with 21% of workers acknowledging that their productivity has been impacted by high stress levels, yet they continue to work without adjusting their hours or taking time off. Additionally, 19% of workers choose not to disclose their stress levels at all, suggesting a persistent stigma around workplace mental health.

External Factors Contributing to Burnout

The study identifies several factors outside of work that contribute to burnout:

?? Sleep issues (affecting 61% of respondents)

?? Financial concerns (49%)

?? Poor physical health (42%)

?? Social isolation (39%)

Young parents face additional challenges, with 50% of those with children under 4 reporting stress related to childcare access.

A Call for Change

Brian Dow, Chief Executive of Mental Health UK, emphasises the urgent need for workplace reform: "Our survey clearly reveals it is young people most at risk of high stress in the workplace. As the gap between generations widens, there's a need to rebuild bridges and open up conversations on changing attitudes and expectations around work."

The report suggests that while some progress has been made, with 32% of workplaces now having plans to address chronic stress (up from 29% the previous year), more comprehensive changes are needed. Organisations are urged to modernise their approach to mental health support, moving beyond traditional frameworks to address the unique challenges faced by today's workforce.

Looking Forward

The findings present both challenges and opportunities for UK employers. While the overall picture of workplace stress remains concerning, with 34% of adults experiencing high or extreme stress levels regularly, the report also identifies potential solutions. Young workers show positive responses to reasonable adjustments (54%), time off work (51%), and professional mental health support (44%), suggesting practical pathways for improvement.

As workplaces continue to evolve, the need for innovative approaches to mental health support becomes increasingly clear. The success of future workplace wellbeing initiatives may depend on employers' ability to bridge the generational divide and create environments that support the mental health needs of all workers, particularly those early in their careers.

What do you think UK employers can do to better support their young workers? ??

What email behavior really annoys UK workers?

A recent survey of 1,000 UK workers has unveiled the most frustrating email habits in today's workplace, with unnecessary CC'ing emerging as the top irritant across all generations. The study, conducted by Currys plc , offers valuable insights into the do's and don'ts of professional email communication.

The research reveals that 44% of workers consider unnecessary CC'ing the most aggravating email habit, with remarkably consistent opinions across generational lines. From Gen Z (49%) to Boomers (42%), the practice of including irrelevant recipients stands out as a universal workplace frustration.

Verbose emails ranked second in the list of email pet peeves, with 43% of respondents expressing their disapproval. The generational divide becomes particularly apparent here, as 62% of Boomers find long-winded messages extremely frustrating, while younger generations show more tolerance, with only 32% of Gen Z citing it as an issue.

The use of casual internet slang (OMG, LOL, WTF) in professional emails irritates 39% of workers, with Boomers leading the opposition at 60%. Other major grievances include unproofread messages (38%) and the misuse of urgency flags (37%).

The study also highlighted particularly irritating email phrases, with "as per my last email" topping the list at 25%, followed by "just looping you in" at 23%. The seemingly innocent "not sure if you saw my email" annoys 22% of recipients.

When it comes to email closings, the research shows that traditional sign-offs remain the safest choice. While casual or pop culture-inspired closings like "tara" (27% disapproval) or movie quotes such as "Hasta la vista, baby" (23% disapproval) can ruffle feathers, classics like "Have a great day" receive positive responses from nearly half (49%) of respondents.

For professionals looking to maintain positive email relationships, the study suggests sticking to conventional closings such as "Many thanks," "Best wishes," or "Cheers." These traditional sign-offs consistently ranked among the most appreciated ways to end professional communications.

With office workers receiving between 90 to 120 emails daily, these insights into email etiquette preferences could prove valuable for maintaining productive and harmonious workplace communications. How many of these email pet peeves do you recognise in your own inbox? ??

There’s no doubt about it, the modern workplace is transforming at an unprecedented pace. Technologies that seemed cutting-edge last year are quickly becoming obsolete, whilst entirely new industries emerge almost overnight. In this environment, your ability to adapt isn't just another skill to add to your CV - it's the fundamental trait that will determine your professional success.

Traditional career advice has often focused on mastering specific technical skills as you follow predetermined career paths. However, as job roles constantly evolve and organisational structures become more fluid, this approach is no longer sufficient. What matters now is your ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn as circumstances change.

This guide breaks down our essential tips for building your adaptability, helping you thrive in the changing professional landscape. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to stay relevant in your industry, these principles will help you develop the adaptability that modern organisations value most.

Embrace the reset button ?? The key to adaptability isn't just absorbing new information - it's being willing to start fresh when circumstances demand it. Start by identifying outdated habits or assumptions in your current role. Practice letting go of methods that you know could be improved, even if they've worked well in the past. Focus on developing a mindset that views every setback as a setup for learning something valuable

Spot changes before they become urgent ?? Don't wait for change to catch you off guard. Keep a finger on the pulse of your industry by engaging with professionals outside your immediate circle and following key trends. Set aside a small amount of time each week to reflect on what's changing in your field. The goal isn't to chase every new trend, but to develop an instinct for identifying meaningful shifts before they become critical.

Break down the walls between departments ?? The most adaptable professionals understand how different parts of a business connect. Map out how your role intersects with others and volunteer for projects that cross department lines. You don't need to be an expert in everything - just knowledgeable enough to bridge gaps and speak different professional languages.

Get comfortable with discomfort ?? Adaptability is as much about emotional resilience as it is about skills. Start small by regularly taking on projects slightly outside your comfort zone. Build a support network across your organisation to help you navigate uncertain times. Remember that being adaptable doesn't mean never feeling uncomfortable - it means knowing how to work through that discomfort productively.

Build a unique mix of skills ?? Rather than trying to master everything, focus on building a strategic combination of complementary abilities. Start with your core expertise, then add skills that multiply its value. A data analyst who can tell compelling stories becomes indispensable. A designer who understands business strategy brings unique value. Create combinations that make you adaptable to different roles and opportunities.

Making it work ?? Start with the step that resonates most strongly with your current situation. Build your adaptability muscle gradually, and pay attention to how your response to change evolves. The most adaptable professionals aren't those who can predict the future - they're the ones who have built robust systems for learning and growing through change.

Your career success increasingly depends on your ability to adapt. Start building this crucial skill now, and watch as new opportunities naturally emerge.

?Check out our blog for more expert wellbeing advice and tips!?

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