Title: Burnout and Dissatisfaction Among Millennials: The Exhausting Journey from Hustle Culture Workers to Middle Managers
Millennials, once hailed as the epitome of the hustle culture in their younger years, are now transitioning into the role of middle managers, and the transition has been far from smooth. These burnt-out millennials, who were promised the world but found their employers falling short on their commitments, are now grappling with cynicism and a sense of disillusionment.
Even before the pandemic hit, BuzzFeed had spoken out about the strain experienced by this beleaguered generation. Journalist Anne Helen Petersen pointed out in 2019 that millennials were facing intense burnout, partly due to being misled by the very hustle culture they had grown up with. Fast forward five years, and millennials still hold the crown as the most dissatisfied generation in the workforce, grappling with the same sense of fatigue and a lack of resources to reshape their working environment.
On the surface, most workers seem to find their experience at their respective companies fine. According to a survey by Forbes Advisor, employees, on average, rate their job satisfaction at a lukewarm 5.5 out of 10. However, the concentration of job dissatisfaction seems to be higher among younger generations. Surprisingly, it is not the newest members of the workforce who report the greatest discontent, but rather the mid-30-something millennials, known for their love of Blink-182 and sporting Warby Parker glasses.
As millennials progress in their careers, they find themselves burdened with more responsibilities but not necessarily more power. It’s no wonder they feel miserable, as they discover that their work ethic and hustle can’t overcome the pervasive economic fatigue. Despite statistics suggesting that millennials are managing to climb the housing ladder and earn high salaries, they still possess far less wealth compared to previous generations, particularly baby boomers. This reality has left many millennials feeling understandably jaded.
Millennial unhappiness at work can be attributed to a significant factor: millennials occupy a large portion of managerial positions in many organizations. According to Jen Fisher, Deloitte’s human sustainability leader, managers find themselves in a difficult spot. They are caught between CEOs striving to uphold traditional values and younger employees seeking more autonomy. This increasingly fraught relationship between employees and companies has led to layoffs, the encroachment of AI, and a decline in workplace flexibility, all contributing to declining job satisfaction levels.
Millennials have faced a uniquely challenging set of circumstances. Often stereotyped as go-getters in the 2010s, many of these young adults have realized that their employers have failed to deliver on their promises. To make ends meet, they toil away, enduring the uncertainty of white-collar layoffs and grappling with the dissolution of old work norms. Additionally, the stress of reaching senior positions without possessing real decision-making power further adds to their discontent.
Millennials are voicing their dissatisfaction with their workplaces, delivering reviews akin to those given to restaurants that serve lasagna with unexpected ingredients. On average, they rate their job satisfaction as a poor 4.6 out of 10. This makes millennials the least satisfied generation, followed closely by Gen Z at 5.2, boomers at 5.6, and Gen X at 6.6.
In recent years, Americans as a whole have become increasingly disillusioned with their jobs. Economic discontent, skepticism towards institutions, and the impact of COVID-19 and socioeconomic turmoil have all contributed to a loss of faith in various professions. The pandemic, in particular, has prompted individuals to question the purpose of their jobs as they witness the erosion of promises made during the early stages of the crisis.
Workplace expert and author Jennifer Moss suggests that the enduring experience of mortality during the pandemic has permanently transformed the workforce. Gallup data indicates a decline in employee engagement over the past decade, alongside heightened reports of social anxiety and a persistent loneliness epidemic. Expressing love for one’s job has become as unusual as professing a fondness for Shredded Wheat or a delight in traffic jams. Forbes’ survey reveals that only 16.2% of employees rate their job satisfaction at 8 or higher (out of 10).
Millennials, who comprise the largest share of the workforce, have risen through the ranks despite facing setbacks from ill-timed recessions that hindered wealth accumulation and career growth. They now find themselves in the midst of growing pains, occupying more senior roles but still subject to the rules dictated by older generations. As a result, millennial managers find little joy in their positions.
Many middle managers are currently experiencing heightened levels of burnout as they grapple with the demands of CEOs committed to upholding traditional practices and employees seeking greater autonomy. The relationship between workers and companies has become increasingly strained; layoffs, fears of job displacement due to AI, and reduced flexibility have all contributed to declining job satisfaction. Although companies initially provided extra support during the early stages of the pandemic, the subsequent rollback has left employees even more dissatisfied.
It’s no wonder that millennials are feeling strained and fatigued. Jennifer Wolf, an expert in generational diversity, highlights the immense challenges faced by millennials, including financial crises, the burden of student debt, and the pressures of balancing young families amidst the pandemic.
However, all is not lost for both employees and millennials alike. The discontent expressed by millennials may serve as a catalyst for change within the workforce as these young adults ascend to more senior roles. According to Fisher, millennials’ dissatisfaction could drive greater innovation and change in the workplace, leading to a shift from extractive, transactional thinking to a human sustainability approach that values every individual connected to the organization.
In conclusion, millennials are navigating a challenging journey from bright-eyed workers embedded in hustle culture to weary middle managers. While their dissatisfaction at work is by no means a new phenomenon, millennials are experiencing burnout and disillusionment as they progress in their careers. The strained relationship between employees and companies, coupled with socio-economic challenges, has intensified these feelings of discontent. However, there remains hope that millennials’ dissatisfaction will pave the way for a more innovative and sustainable approach to work in the future.
