Vacation guilt has emerged as a significant hurdle for the youngest members of the workforce, as per the latest findings from LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index.

The report, derived from a survey of 9,461 professionals in the U.S., sheds light on the challenges faced by Generation Z (Gen Z) workers when it comes to disconnecting from work during vacations.

According to the survey, a substantial 35% of Gen Z workers admit feeling guilty for not working while on vacation, surpassing the U.S. average across all age groups, which stands at 29%.

This phenomenon is attributed to Gen Z’s conscientious nature, driven by their desire to impress superiors, maintain good relationships with colleagues, and ensure their contributions are valued within the team.

George Anders, LinkedIn’s senior editor at large, explains that despite potential differences in workplace habits or preferences, Gen Z’s commitment to delivering quality work remains strong and on par with other generations.

No disconnection

This commitment often translates into the difficulty of fully disconnecting from work even during time off.

The research highlights that younger workers are also less likely to plan vacations where they can completely unplug. Approximately 58% of Gen Z employees anticipate taking a vacation with zero work-related engagement in the coming months, a percentage lower than their millennial, Gen X, and baby boomer counterparts.

This trend might stem from Gen Z’s propensity for multitasking, making the act of complete unplugging an adjustment.

Financial concerns play a role as well, with 31% of Gen Z workers citing economic factors as the reason for foregoing vacations this year.

This statistic slightly surpasses the rates among millennials and Gen X employees.

Ultimately, overcoming vacation guilt might involve letting go of ego and recognising the organisation’s resilience.