When the pandemic arrived, the workers already came with a health backpack to improve, especially with impaired psychological health, according to the study “Intergenerational Health and Well-being in the workplace”, by the Generation & Talent Observatory, carried out with the collaboration of the European University as an academic partner and Criteria Human Resources, as a technical partner.
This report warns about the health of workers of different generations and shows that each generation lives their health in a different way.
For example, and according to this study, the great challenge facing the older generations (Generation T and Baby Boomer) has to do with their emotional health.
The traditionalists they face a new challenge, which is retirement, and this impacts them and generates uncertainty. Their physical health is regular, and it is a generation that has not had a culture of prevention like others have. They are a generation that is more reactive to disease than prevention-oriented.
“Of course, we find ourselves with a generation with a very powerful mental health, and that has to do with all the skills that they have been developing throughout their lives “explains Elena Cascante, managing partner of the Generation & Talent Observatory.
types of health
Perhaps occupational health is the most affected. They feel that somehow they are not recognized and that affects their self-esteem. On the other hand, the health of baby boomers it is -according to experts- regular approaching good. Healthy habits should improve, since ailments and physical alterations begin, but they are not very relevant. They face the appearance of these first health problems, but it is difficult for them to be aware of the need for self-care.
In psychological, fear their future employment, which generates a degree of stress and concern. In Socialis a generation with a very stable environment, which favors its balance.
“We have to understand that many live in fear of not reaching retirement. They feel that they are no longer counted on or that they are not in the most important challenges within the organizations; that their careers have stopped progressing, and they feel left out. They also refer sadness, because after so much work and sacrifice they do not have enough recognition “adds Ángeles Alcázar, managing partner of the Generation & Talent Observatory.
Psychological health is also the most worrying scenario of Generation X. The source of the stress they are experiencing has to do with the workplace. It is a generation with a lot of responsibility both in the professional sphere and in the family, and they do not know how to harmonize both scenarios, and this generates frustration and great anxiety. The lack of time is its great demand.
The gap between expectations and professional reality also takes its toll on them, which has repercussions on occupational health. Regarding social health, they value their social environment positively, but their limited time availability means that they are limited in their personal relationships.
The stress It is the main health problem of Generation Y, relating it fundamentally to the work environment, high workload, difficulty in combining work, professional development and personal life. The concept of balance is important for them, therefore, when the time dedicated to work exceeds the planned time and invades the rest of their lives, an imbalance is produced and leads to health problems.
This generation wants to change the world and sometimes it is the world that changes them. They live with little tolerance the situations that hinder their professional and personal advancement, which generates frustration and impatience, since they want everything here and now. Regarding social health, it is the most fragile of the three. Although they are very restless in their social actions, sometimes they collide with their companies since they cannot channel their social concerns due to lack of time.
On the other hand, the high dependence on social networks and the lack of empathy and connection with the other generations in the company stand out. Finally, the study perceives the overall health of Generation Z as good, but with nuances. Their physical health is quite good, not only because of their age, but also because they enhance their healthy habits and want to reach the socially established physical canon.
Regarding psychological health, it is more weakened, due to its dependence on social networks, a constant search for acceptance and living in changing environments and great uncertainty. In addition, the protection of parents is perceived as excessive, which, on many occasions, causes insecurity in the face of social and work reality and an imbalance in their personal interaction.
