Why Gen Z Takes So Many Sick Days

Gen Z is proving to be a unique generation in many ways, from how its members invest, to how they think about work.

Part of this generational shift is a different approach to sick days. They’re more likely to take sick days – and it’s not because they’re getting the flu more often. Instead, they’re expanding the concept of what being “sick” means and taking mental health breaks to avoid burnout, leading some companies to offer them perks like additional guidance and on-site therapy.

The Young and the Rested

Dayforce and Gusto, two human resources platforms, released studies that found more people are taking sick days now than in 2019. Nearly a third (30%) of white collar workers told Gusto they took sick leave in the past year, as reported by Business Insider. That’s up 42% from 2019. Similarly, Dayforce found there was a 55% bump in sick days taken between 2019 and 2023.

Both studies found that younger workers were more likely to take sick days than their older coworkers. Since 2019, the number of sick days taken by those 35 and under jumped 29%, according to Gusto.

Practicing Self-Care

During the pandemic, COVID-19 caused people to take more sick days. But the trend persisted even after the health crisis ended.

Mental health is a big reason people are calling in sick. Gen Z and younger Millennials were most likely to say they took time off to prioritize their mental health. A survey of 12,000 respondents from consulting firm Mercer found that 80% of employees are at risk of burnout in 2024. Maybe it’s time for older generations to start taking sick days, too.

Speaking to Business Insider, Michelle Quist Ryder, CEO of the American Psychological Foundation, said anxiety and burnout has caused younger generations “to take more of an interest in physical and mental health” and “understand the importance of stepping away from work.”

A focus on mental health isn’t the only reason people aren’t coming to work. In a flexible, hybrid environment, employees might feel more free to take sick days than they did when everyone came into the office. And post-pandemic, coworkers are more likely to look askew at anyone coughing loudly near the water cooler.

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