Modern Health’s new report uncovers how burnout, financial anxiety, and workplace culture gaps are quietly pushing Gen Z and Millennial employees to the edge. Learn what today’s workforce needs—and what employers can do about it.
Gen Z and Millennials now make up just over half the U.S. workforce. They’re no longer up-and-coming—they’re here, present in the C-suite, making decisions for large teams, and driving the future of organizations.
So, when only 16% of Gen Z and Millennials employees report that their mental health is excellent, leaders of all generations should take notice. But if the distress signals are intentionally hidden from employers, the damage mounts behind the scenes and chips away at culture, productivity, and retention.
Modern Health’s latest report, Working Through It: What Employers Need to Know About Mental Health, Presenteeism, and Hidden Retention Risk, reveals just how much pressure employees are carrying—and the quiet ways they’re putting off much-needed care to meet workplace demands.
Based on survey data from 1,000 full-time U.S. workers ages 18 to 44, the report made clear that this isn’t another conversation centered around burnout. It’s a reflection of a system that demands resilience without space for relief.
And despite earnest efforts from resource-strapped HR and benefits leaders, even when care is offered, employees often view their benefits with skepticism, which results in unused or delayed care.
This mistrust—coupled with a year marked by layoffs, return-to-office tension, and growing financial and economic stress—leaves little surprise that employees are struggling.
The eye-opening findings, then, are those that illustrate how Gen Z and Millennial workers are still showing up despite all they’re experiencing:
“Our latest report reveals that many of today’s young workers are quietly pushing through mounting mental health challenges just to keep up at work,” said Matt Levin, CEO of Modern Health.
“They’re not getting the support they need, which should be a wake-up call for employers. We can’t afford to wait until someone is in crisis to act—we need to meet people earlier, with care that’s proactive, adaptive, and designed to support the mental health of entire workforce populations.”
Nearly all surveyed employees (96%) want access to preventative mental health support as part of their benefits, and 94% report that earlier care would improve their work lives.
Directly at odds with these findings, though, only 19% report that they would seek support at the first signs of a problem.
So, what’s fueling this disconnect? The existing gap that many workers perceive between what employers promote regarding mental health and the resulting reality.
For instance, 53% report that their organization encourages self-care but makes it nearly impossible to practice. And just over a quarter of employees believe that their employer “walks the talk” when it comes to prioritizing well-being.
As a result, 58% of employees needing support have delayed care until symptoms became unmanageable. Without early-stage care that goes beyond availability to be approachable, relevant, and stigma-free, delayed care and its costly consequences are likely to persevere.
“For many employees, caring for their mental health is part of how they stay balanced and show up at work and in life,” said Alison Borland, Modern Health’s Chief People & Strategy Officer. “Employers that recognize and act on this will lead the future of work.”
Gen Z and Millennial employees are feeling the effects of economic worries in multiple facets of their lives. Financial anxiety isn’t just leading workers to postpone care (66%), but also keeping them in roles and organizations they want to leave (69%).
Nearly 70% of employees experiencing financial worry find that it directly impacts their work performance, thanks to the toll it takes on their sleep, mood, and energy. It’s also viewed as a driving force behind burnout (75%).
It’s not just offering care—it’s ensuring mental health resources are accessible and adaptable. It’s delivering care that meets employees before they reach a breaking point—and fits the realities of their lives, identities, and working environments.
It’s also creating a culture where self-care is genuinely encouraged and mental health is prioritized.
“Employees don’t want perfection. They want consistency and sincerity,” added Dr. Jessica Watrous, Senior Director of Clinical Research and Scientific Affairs at Modern Health. “If the culture doesn’t support rest, no wellness app will fix that.”
