The wellness recession isn’t what it seems. Many Gen Zs are driving the shift, treating health and happiness as non-negotiables at work.
Generation Z is young, ambitious and full of life. In South Africa, private medical aid remains unaffordable for many young working individuals, and most are employed without any form of health coverage.
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Wellness has emerged as the new status symbol for many working Gen Zs.
Deloitte Global did a Gen Z and Millennial Survey on well-being and mental health between the two generations. They polled over 23,000 respondents across 44 countries, providing a valuable insight into the views and experiences of both generations that make up much of today’s workforce. Here’s what the data from the survey showed:
- Mental health as a top societal concern: Where mental health is the second most cited societal concern by Gen Zs
- Stress/anxiety levels: With 40% of Gen Zs and 34% of millennials say they feel stressed or anxious all or most of the time, due to job contributions.
- Workplace stress drivers: The top contributing factors to stress are long working hours and not being recognised at their place of employment.
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These were just a few concerns depicted by the survey.
In short, Generation Z is motivated, open-minded and wants their healthcare to be holistic, convenient and nurturing. These shifting generational preferences challenge the old ways of working with an emphasis on putting mental healthcare at the forefront.
The working model of today and tomorrow will centre on wellness, with a focus on prevention, outcomes, and overall health for many employees.
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