Mental health matters more than money to Gen Z

Zoomers see work as part of personal growth, can be highly motivated

It’s been a year since I returned to the corporate world physically after working remotely for the better part of 2022.

Being back in the office has been a welcome change, allowing me to rekindle face-to-face relationships with my colleagues and making it easier to collaborate on creative projects.

However, what has been most surprising to me is the perspective of my younger colleagues, specifically, those from Gen Z.

This change of environment opened my eyes to the differences in workplace culture between generations.

While The Millennial Unrest was initially written to compare shifts in culture and mentality between millennials and older generations, for this piece, I would like to focus on the difference between millennials and the younger generation.

One conversation that stood out was with a Gen Z co-worker over lunch. We talked about what motivated us to stay or leave our jobs.

My co-worker said, “Whenever I start feeling too much anxiety at a job to the point where it starts affecting my mental health, I know it is time to leave. I will not risk losing myself for a job where I can be easily replaced.”

This perspective was refreshing to hear and might I add, it was even inspiring to me.

It’s my observation that a lot of millennials and those in the older generations tend to define themselves by their status or job roles, making their careers their identity.

However, Gen Z will have none of that. They do not believe that their careers define who they are, and you know what? They are right.

My co-worker also said, “But when I start feeling worried that I will disappoint my managers, that’s when I know I should stay. Because it means I like my managers enough to want to make them proud, and I know there is much more that I want to learn from them.”

It’s a common misconception that Gen Zs are not good employees because they change jobs frequently.

In fact, by prioritising their well-being and viewing work as a means of personal growth, Gen Zs can be highly motivated and skilled employees with the right mentorship.

By prioritising their mental well-being, Gen Zs are able to bring a level of energy, creativity and motivation to their work that is hard to match.

They are also tech-savvy and adaptable which is important in today’s fast-paced business environment.

The conversation with my co-worker has stuck with me.

I have started taking my own mental health seriously in the last two years but as someone who grew up with financial trauma, I still find it difficult to put my mental and emotional health above a stable income.

Due to this, I have faced bouts of depression in unfulfilling jobs.

There is much we can learn from Gen Zs, especially in regards to work and career.

As someone who has worked with both older generations and Gen Zs, I have been struck by the fresh perspective that Gen Zs bring to the workplace.

They are not afraid to leave a job if it no longer aligns with their values.

This level of self-awareness and courage is something that we can all strive to emulate.

By embracing their positive qualities and incorporating them into our own professional lives, we can create a more fulfilling and meaningful career for ourselves.

The future of work is changing and it is important for businesses to adapt and understand the needs and values of the younger generation.

Companies can keep Gen Z workers by offering flexible hours, utilising technology, offering learning opportunities, fostering collaboration and embracing diversity.

By doing so, employers can create a work environment that is not only productive but also supportive of the overall well-being of their employees.

This will lead to a more engaged and motivated workforce, which will benefit both the employees and the company as a whole.

As I conclude The Millennial Unrest, I’d like to thank my readers for following my journey and for the feedback I’ve received along the way.

It’s been a pleasure sharing my thoughts and observations with you, and I hope that the conversations sparked by The Millennial Unrest have been insightful.

Farewell and take care!

Shafiqah Othman is a women and children’s rights activist who has worked with various non-governmental organisations that focus on issues of fundamental human rights. She believes in the importance of intersectionality and strives to lend her platform to silenced voices.

The views expressed here are the writer’s own.