Senior Communications Specialist for Insperity, specializing in employment branding and recruitment marketing.
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Ask any professional how long it's been since they took a vacation where they truly disconnected from work, and their answer may largely depend on their age. According to LinkedIn's latest Workforce Confidence Index, only 58% of Gen-Z employees were looking to take a vacation within a few months following the survey. Millennials and Baby Boomers reported higher numbers, with 64% of each generation's respondents planning to take time away from the office. Furthermore, when Gen-Z employees do actually take vacations, more than a third say they feel guilty about not working.
Americans have long been known to forgo much-needed time off, often allowing large chunks of their allotted vacation time to go unused. Common reasons include a fear of falling behind on their work or giving off the impression that they're not dedicated to the job or company. Gen-Z’s reluctance to step away from work could result from reasons unique to their generation, though, such as their constantly connected lifestyle or the kind of budgetary concerns that accompany entry-level positions.
Regardless of the reasons, time off is essential for remaining engaged and avoiding burnout. So how can the youngest generation of workers truly disconnect during their downtime and avoid the associated feelings of vacation guilt? Here are a few suggestions.
1. Find A Company That Offers Work-Life Balance
This is often easier said than done, and it may depend heavily upon one’s industry. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, professionals have realized the importance of work-life balance. In a recent survey of 1,600 workers by The Muse, 83% said they were willing to take a lower-paying job if it meant they'd have a better work-life balance. On the flip side, 56% said there was no amount of increased pay that would be worth sacrificing a more balanced life. Because most Gen-Z workers have multiple job changes ahead of them, they shouldn't be afraid to prioritize this benefit as they build their careers.
2. Learn To Embrace Downtime
Gen-Z has never been fearful. Young professionals in this generation, along with Millennials, have succeeded in destigmatizing job hopping with little regard for traditional distrust of candidates with short tenure. With that in mind, Gen-Zers need to reclaim much-needed vacation time for their generation—and for every other.
There are numerous reasons employees should disconnect from work. Beyond feeling reenergized, which combats stress and burnout, taking time off can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also positively impact mental health by reducing depression and anxiety.
Finally, unplugging from work ultimately improves one's productivity and life satisfaction. Rather than forgoing vacation to get ahead in the short term, Gen-Z should look to the future and prioritize physical and mental health to improve their quality of life and prolong their career.
3. Rely On The Team
It can be helpful for employees—of any age—to talk to their manager weeks in advance of taking time off so they can collaboratively determine what work needs to be completed prior to their departure. They should also discuss which team members will cover their workload while they're out. This will provide ample time for everyone to ensure they're up to speed on their job duties before and after their vacation.
Gen-Zers new to the workforce may feel some initial guilt for passing their workload to already busy coworkers. But they should keep in mind that, one day, the roles will be reversed, and they can return the favor by covering for those same coworkers when they take their own time off.
4. Don’t Let Budget Be A Hindrance
One of the biggest deterrents to taking a vacation for younger employees is cost. Gen-Z workers just starting their careers often fall on the lower end of the pay scale, so they may struggle to reconcile a starting salary with the spiraling cost of living. This makes it harder for them to feel comfortable paying for nonessentials.
But none of this changes the need for the human brain to disconnect from work occasionally, and it doesn’t require an extravagant trip to a tropical destination. All people need is simple time away to reenergize, recharge and avoid the mental fatigue that nonstop work can cause. Whether it's a low-budget getaway or a staycation spent at home, Gen-Z can still prioritize a brief respite even when a full-on vacation doesn’t fit their budget.
Gen-Z employees are entering (and creating) a workforce that's very different from the one in which previous generations started their careers. But all generations of workers share certain traits, such as the need for work-life balance; without it, anyone can fall prey to disengagement and burnout. Gen-Z in particular must learn that a career is a marathon, not a sprint. While working hard to launch a nascent career is admirable, embracing the vacation time allotted to rest and recharge is an investment in the future.
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