Burnout And Low Pay Fuel Job-Hopping Among Majority Of Younger Workers

A large majority of young Americans are looking to leave their jobs, according to a new survey highlighting the toll burnout and stagnant pay are taking on the workforce.

A survey of 2,000 employed Americans, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of human capital management company isolved, found that 73% of Gen Z respondents and 70% of millennials are actively considering a job or career change. Thats compared to 51% of Gen X workers and just 33% of baby boomers.

The data, released ahead of National Mental Health Awareness Month, paints a concerning picture of workplace dissatisfaction, especially among younger generations. Burnout emerged as a major driver behind the desire to leave: 68% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials reported feeling burned out at work, compared to 47% of Gen X and just 30% of baby boomers.

Among the top reasons cited for burnout were the repetitive nature of their jobs (33%), increased expectations without matching pay raises (23%), and feeling unappreciated at work (23%).

Separate findings from isolveds 2024 “Voice of the Workforce” study echoed these concerns. That survey found that three in 10 workers operate in toxic workplaces, more than half work while sick (52%), and nearly a third (31%) routinely skip lunch breaks. The stress, in turn, is eroding company culture, with workers citing stressed colleagues (47%), lack of flexible work environments (40%), and widespread negativity (32%) as major issues.

The impact on loyalty is stark. Only 51% of employees surveyed expressed a strong sense of loyalty to their employer, and 36% rated their overall work experience as less than stellar. Almost half (46%) said their employers’ commitment to their career development was simply average or poor.

“With so many employees under pressure, its critical for organizations to invest in technology — not to replace their workforce, but to empower them,” said Amy Mosher, Chief People Officer at isolved. “Employers need to identify and address the specific stressors impacting their people, which requires ongoing, two-way communication.”

Financial strain is compounding the mental load. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they are living paycheck to paycheck, and 58% worry about potential layoffs in the coming year. Unsurprisingly, the top improvement workers seek is better compensation (58%), followed by flexible work arrangements (48%) and policies to curb after-hours messaging (43%).

“The level of burnout employees are experiencing is deeply concerning. But even small changes can go a long way in improving how people feel at work,” Mosher said. “While compensation adjustments may take time, companies can act now by offering more flexible work arrangements or setting clear boundaries around after-hours communication. These practical steps can significantly improve both employee well-being and organizational health.”

With younger generations ready to move on if their needs aren’t met, the message to employers is clear: investing in employee well-being isnt optional — its essential for retaining top talent.