This week, I’m thinking a lot about stress at work. Deloitte’s recent Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey shows that 41% of millennials and 46% of Gen Zs are stressed “all or most of the time.” 

Sources of the stress are listed as: welfare of family, long-term financial future, job/career prospects, uncertainty over when the pandemic will end, and physical/mental health.

A third of respondents (millennials 31%, Gen Zs 35%) said that they have taken time off work due to stress and anxiety since the start of the pandemic. Out of the remaining respondents, about 30% said they were stressed out all of the time but chose to work through it. 

Employers aren’t doing a great job at supporting mental well-being for these groups: about 40% disagreed with the statement, “My employer has taken actions to support my mental well-being during this time.” 

YIKES. This data is disappointing, but not too surprising. 

This week’s easily digestible tidbit is: 

Focus on your well-being. What are things you could be doing for stress relief? It is widely quoted that you cannot pour from an empty cup; you need to replenish yourself before you can begin to take care of others. Once you’ve filled your cup, then focus on your employees, colleagues, and close relationships. How can you help them raise their awareness about well-being and stress relief? Sometimes, even letting them know that they are in a safe space will mean a lot. 

If you’re a manager, executive, or business owner: take time to think about what a well-being plan would look like for your employees, your team, or your company. Craft one, train and educate staff, implement the plan, and ensure accountability for adherence to it.