Workers take long breaks or leave jobs, citing burnout as the leading cause. This trend is found among people in their late 20s and 30s who drop everything at work to recalibrate.
The reason? These young professionals see the advantage of achieving a more balanced life, including a healthier body, a happier life, and a certain level of freedom. The increase in mental health awareness has also contributed to such a mindset. They also want jobs that match their values.
On the flip side, the drawbacks are fewer promotion opportunities and reduced income. But, the benefits of a well-balanced life outweigh the associated costs for these workers.
Mental Strain
But what is pushing these workers away from the workplace? With the rapid advancement of technology, individuals are growing weary of the constant need to keep up to date with their knowledge and skills. I observed that this trend is particularly evident in technology companies, where the average age of employees typically falls below 30 years old.
These young professionals may be at their most energetic stage of life, making them well-suited for the demanding nature of such work. However, as they age and their energy levels drop, they find it increasingly challenging to cope with the high job demands. Eventually, they want to change their career trajectory.
Is this phenomenon unique to this age group of 20s and 30s? Yes. On the one hand, young professionals now have more career options as new industries or business opportunities emerge fast with the rapid development of technology. For example, the platform economy and streaming broadcasting have increased over the past several years.
On the other hand, young people nowadays have less financial pressure from their families. Hence, they usually only have fewer concerns when taking long breaks to search for the job they want to do.
When they explore different career paths, they can broaden their horizons and experience various lifestyles to discover their preferences. However, there are downsides, such as challenges in achieving a high level of expertise in their chosen field. Potential employers could also question the high frequency of job hopping and gap years on resumes.
A long term approach
That said, balancing mental health and career progression with employers and employees each playing a part is possible.
Employers can consider providing more flexibility in working hours so that employees can effectively juggle their professional responsibilities and family life. At the same time, employees should improve their time management skills at work and focus on developing their expertise
There should also be a culture of transparency and openness between employees and the management. This encompasses discussions about workloads, deadlines, and any personal challenges that could impact job performance.
Employees should conduct a comprehensive assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. Establishing a clear self-identity can assist employees in making more intentional career decisions. Furthermore, before resigning from a job, employees should conduct a cost-benefit analysis, meticulously evaluating whether it is worthwhile to leave their current position and embark on a new life stage.
Concurrently, employees should define distinct short-term and long-term career objectives, and the skills they aim to cultivate. This strategic approach will facilitate their re-entry into the workforce in the near future.