Young employees, many of whom are new to the workforce, are experiencing higher rates of burnout, boredom and uncertainty than ever before. Flex Jobs’ latest Workforce Wellness Report found that across industries and career levels, more than half (55%) of U.S. workers have experienced a quarter-life career crisis between the ages of 20 and 35 or are currently going through one.
The data reveals deeper issues that exist in today’s workplace culture that are in need of more attention and action such as stress, disconnection and stagnation, according to the report.
According to Flex Jobs, a quarter-life career crisis is “a period of stress, doubt, or disconnection that often hits workers in their 20s or 30s. It’s the moment when early-career professionals begin to question their current path, feel stuck in roles that no longer align with their goals, or experience burnout before reaching mid-career milestones.”
Many workers experience a quarter-life career crisis as a response to real, compounding stressors that make work feel unsustainable or unfulfilling.
According to the report, during the average workday, 65% of employees report feeling stressed or overwhelmed due to difficult managers or coworkers (39%), job insecurity or layoff concerns (36%), or lack of clear expectations and direction (34%).
When it comes to engagement, many workers aren’t feeling energized or motivated. The study found that only 25% of workers say they feel very or extremely excited about their work. Additionally, a majority (60%) of workers say they’re bored in their jobs and some level of burnout was reported by 71% of workers.
Many workers are also weary about the future, with 1 out of 4 respondents citing that they don’t know if their current job will exist 5 years from now.
“Coping with a quarter-life career crisis is a defining moment for the majority of today’s workforce,” said Toni Frana, a career expert at Flex Jobs. “Although the experience can be incredibly difficult to navigate, many younger workers come out of it with a stronger sense of direction, greater career clarity, and long-lasting purpose in their professional lives.”
When it comes to solutions, the survey found that remote and flexible work; upskilling; and other areas of support such as career development planning, soft skills training and mental health resources were beneficial to preventing a quarter-life career crisis.
Although there are steps to take in order to prevent a quarter-life career crisis the report recommends that workers experiencing these feelings should identify what feels sustainable right now and imagine what a better fit could look like. Additionally, the report recommends that workers explore flexible work environments, focus on upskilling in areas that you find exciting, tap into support systems, and recognize when it's time to move on.
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