Business Daily – Has Gen Z Lost the Will to Work?

Host: Megan Lawton (BBC World Service)
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Business Daily investigates the popular question: Has Gen Z lost the will to work? Host Megan Lawton explores why so many in Gen Z are reporting unprecedented burnout, how their experiences differ from previous generations, and what both employees and employers can do to bridge generational divides in work culture. The episode blends first-person perspectives from Gen Z workers, expert analysis from psychologists and generational researchers, and insight from a Gen Z business leader.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Burnout Epidemic Among Gen Z

• Viral Burnout: TikTok is flooded with over 84 million posts about burnout ([02:22]).
  • Sarah (US-based Gen Zer): “98% of Gen Z is burned out by a new report.” ([02:44])
• Personal Experiences:
  • Sarah (27, US, personal trainer): Grew up expecting the comfortable life her parents had, but sees a stark difference today.
  • Claudia (28, Canada, admin): “Companies are not incentivizing us to stay there… we get a raise and that raise is either matching inflation or not even matching inflation.” ([03:19-04:30])

2. Economic Realities & Changing Expectations

• Generational Contrast: Careers once meant long-term loyalty and upward mobility; now, job security and benefits are harder to achieve.
  • Sarah: “My father started a job when he was 18 … [the company] paid for him to get his engineering degree ... He worked there for 45 years and was able to retire comfortably ... what we’re seeing now is companies are not incentivizing us to stay.” ([03:19-04:16])
• Multi-Job Lifestyle: Many Gen Zers juggle multiple jobs for equivalent stability.
  • Sarah: “I currently have two jobs, I’m looking for a third. I have friends who also have multiple jobs. I don’t think it’s fair to compare your work ethic when the previous generations were working hard at one job.” ([06:06])

3. Mental Health and Self-Awareness

• Cultural Shift: Gen Z is more open about discussing mental health—one in three have posted about it online.
  • Jordan Travers (psychologist): “A challenge [for Gen Z] is unrealistic expectations ... social emotional wellbeing is taken into consideration [in upbringing], but not always in corporate environments.” ([07:48-09:16])
• Social Media Influence: Online culture amplifies awareness of burnout and workplace dissatisfaction.
  • “If I spend a significant amount of time on social media … that's going to impact me and how I show up … can contribute to someone’s level of burnout.” - Jordan Travers ([10:01])

4. Technology Anxiety & AI’s Role

• Jobs at Risk: AI’s encroachment on creative and admin work raises anxiety about redundancy.
  • Claudia: “If a manager just decides to generate all of their Instagram content and caption online, it could affect certain roles.” ([04:30])

5. Generational Tension in the Workplace

• Perceptions of Work Ethic
  • Some hiring managers and public figures, like Jodie Foster, criticize Gen Z for a perceived lack of motivation ([13:08]).
  • Millennial Manager (voice note): “[Gen Zers] are skeptical of traditional work culture ... there’s this anti rat race rhetoric ... I just kind of witnessed it in them being a nightmare to work with.” ([13:46])
• Gen Z as Change-Agents
  • Oliver Hodgson (Gen Z boss): “There’s a lot of generation bashing … but with Gen Z … they’ve spent years not really being exposed to real life office environments... when they enter them ... it can come as quite a shock.” ([14:44])
  • Oliver prioritizes employee welfare, seeing value in open mental health conversations and a supportive culture.
    • “I just always like to listen. I’m quite vulnerable with my own mental health … and I feel comfortable doing that with my team.” ([15:46-16:20])

6. Employer Advice: Supporting Gen Z

• Transparency & Culture Matter: Clearly communicate expectations, workplace culture, and foster respect for Gen Z’s fresh perspectives.
  • Oliver: “So they’re coming to interviews locked and loaded with questions about your culture ... And sometimes that can catch people off guard.” ([16:31])
• Purposeful Leadership:
  • “A leader is not meant to [hide vulnerabilities]. And I actually think, no, you are. You’re meant to lead with purpose.” – Oliver ([16:20])

7. Research & Expert Perspectives on Gen Z

• Adaptability & Entrepreneurship
  • Dr. Eliza Philby (generational researcher): “You've got a generation that is coming into the workplace at a very, as I said, intense time … They're natural entrepreneurs... have a very different attitude towards money ... a more fluid attitude towards money rather than a fixed approach to wages.” ([17:29-18:18])
• Skepticism as Survival:
  • Dr. Philby attributes Gen Z’s skepticism to growing up with global access and seeing the “decline of deference.”
• AI Enthusiasm:
  • “Despite what AI enthusiasts tell you, we need people more than ever. We just need them doing different things.” – Dr. Eliza Philby ([17:29])

8. Final Messages from Gen Z to Employers

• Sarah: “I think the workforce in general is going to be just a more positive space with mental health. I think Gen Z is a lot more aware of mental health and so they're able to have more empathy and understanding … and I think that’s going to be a really positive change.” ([19:38])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “98% of Gen Z is burned out by a new report.” – Sarah ([02:44])
• “I currently have two jobs, I’m looking for a third. I have friends who also have multiple jobs.” – Sarah ([06:06])
• “If a manager just decides to generate all of their Instagram content and caption online, it could affect certain roles.” – Claudia ([04:30])
• “A challenge … is unrealistic expectations … what the criteria are to be promoted … how to propel ourselves forward professionally.” – Jordan Travers ([08:12])
• “I just always like to listen. I’m quite vulnerable with my own mental health in the office ... and I feel comfortable doing that with my team.” – Oliver Hodgson ([15:46])
• “We need people more than ever. We just need them doing different things.” – Dr. Eliza Philby ([17:29])
• “A more positive space with mental health … a lot more empathy and understanding in the workforce … that’s going to be a really positive change.” – Sarah ([19:38])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:44] – Gen Z burnout statistics and social media discourse
• [03:19-04:30] – Sarah and Claudia share first-hand burnout experiences
• [07:34-09:16] – Psychologist Jordan Travers on generational expectations and mental health openness
• [13:08-13:46] – Perceptions of Gen Z work ethic from hiring managers and millennials
• [14:44-16:20] – Gen Z boss Oliver Hodgson on leadership and culture
• [17:29-18:18] – Dr. Eliza Philby on Gen Z's entrepreneurial attitude and skepticism
• [19:38] – Sarah’s concluding message to employers

Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, empathetic, and data-backed, weaving personal testimonies with expert commentary. It approaches the topic with nuance, challenging generational stereotypes while spotlighting the complexity of transitioning from education to a changed workplace.

Whether you’re a Gen Z worker feeling misunderstood, a manager trying to motivate your team, or simply curious about generational workplace dynamics, this episode provides a rich, multifaceted exploration of the forces shaping Gen Z’s work experience—and what can move workplaces forward.