Gen Z More Likely Than Older Generations to Call Out Sick When Not Ill, Report Finds

Workers in Generation Z are nearly twice as likely as older employees to call in sick when they are not actually ill, according to a new report. Approximately 80 percent of individuals polled under the age of 29 reported taking at least one sick day in the past year without being unwell.

In contrast, only about 40 percent of workers aged 55 to 64, comprising Gen X and younger Baby Boomers, confessed to similar behavior. The research, conducted by Merlin Strategy on behalf of Britain’s Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), surveyed over 2,000 full-time employees.

Reasons for Absence

For those under 29, common reasons cited for taking unearned sick days included feeling tired (79 percent), burnout (77 percent), attending job interviews (over 50 percent), and even nursing a hangover (52 percent). Among the older cohort, fatigue and burnout were cited by 40 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

The data also indicated a correlation between age and frequency of absence, with 39 percent of those under 25 reporting taking at least five unearned sick days in the past year, compared to only one in ten in the older age group.

This trend of younger workers exhibiting different attitudes towards work is supported by other recent findings. A separate study indicated that 66 percent of Gen Z employees and managers admitted to "faking productivity" while at work. This included actions such as pretending to type or carrying stacks of paperwork to appear busy.

Labor Market Trends

Recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a decline in labor market participation among young men aged 16 to 24, dropping to 56.1 percent from 69 percent in 2000. Experts have voiced concerns that this trend could accelerate as artificial intelligence impacts various job sectors.

Maria Flynn, CEO of the nonprofit Jobs for the Future, has previously attributed a hit on entry-level hiring in sectors like retail and manufacturing to this trend. She warned that young people who opt out of the labor market risk falling behind, as extended periods away from work can hinder the development of essential skills, networks, and experience crucial for future earnings.