Sick days now have a whole new meaning.
As Generation Z employees enter the workforce, the paid sick leave allotted by most companies is being used more than ever before.
According to HR platform Gusto, which is used by more than 300,000 U.S. businesses, nearly 30% of employees took sick leave in the first 10 months of 2023 — that's up 42% from 2019.
The average time taken for sick leave has also increased by 15% since 2019, reaching an average of 15.5 hours per year.
Dayforce, another HR platform, reported a 55% increase in sick leave during the same time period, based on the activity of its users.
Among white-collar workers, Dayforce saw a 42% increase in sick leave since 2019.
Workers ages 25 to 34 were most likely to take advantage of these benefits, according to Gusto's data.
Gusto reported last year that, “Younger generations are now the most likely to take time off from work to rest and recover from illness – signaling a generational shift in employees’ attitudes to taking time off to protect their health.”
Jake Canul, regional director for the New York-based Top Employers Institute, responded to the data in a response to Fox News Digital.
Top employers found in their new research that regardless of age, “sick days are encouraged by employers to prevent and recover from illness,” Canul said.
The expert said that many companies with high levels of employee engagement have taken initiatives to raise awareness about mental and emotional health.
These same companies are 14% more likely to discourage people from working overtime and 9% more likely to discourage them from working overtime. encourage them to take stress-relieving breaks “During the workday,” Canul added.
He added that Generation Z employees are less likely to work in independent and self-directed workplaces – because they value human interaction and collaboration.
He noted that America’s youngest workers also prioritize their well-being and are “very community-focused.”
“They do that [avoid] “Staying home and infecting your co-workers,” Canul told Fox News Digital.
“In general, they prioritize safe and healthy workplaces over opportunities for growth and advancement.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone, told Fox News Digital that it would be “tempting” to think the additional use of sick days is because people have become more cautious about spreading infections since the pandemic began.
“But I don’t think that’s the case,” he said. “If anything, post-Covid fatigue has led to fewer precautions, including against Covid, which is now spreading widely again.”
The doctor estimated that the growing Sick days are more related to fatigue at workLack of rewards and lack of commitment to a career – especially among young people.
“With rising anxiety and depression in our society, people are more likely to cheat the system or need a mental health day,” Siegel theorized.
“Some people want more balance in their lives between work and recreation.”
Dr. Kyle Elliott, a California-based career coach, agreed that Generation Z employees prioritize work-life balance.
“When you find meaning and purpose beyond your work and career, it's easier to take time off when you're sick,” Elliott told Fox News Digital.
According to the expert, Gen Z workers have also recognized that sick leave isn’t just reserved for physical illness.
“These can also be used When you're struggling with stress or burnout , And you don’t need to give your employer a detailed reason why you’re using your sick leave,” Elliott said.
“Gen Z employees are showing that it’s okay to take a day or two off when you feel mentally exhausted or tired , And if you recover quickly, it could be beneficial in the long run.”
Elliott suggested that America’s youngest workers are learning that “there’s more to life than work” and that “there’s no benefit in working when you’re sick.”
New and exclusive data from the Top Employers Generation Z Survey revealed that 81% of young workers believe their employers have a responsibility to take care of their employees' physical health.
Meanwhile, 83% of people agree that employers are responsible for supporting the psychological well-being of their employees.
According to the survey, 62% of Generation Z respondents would be willing to accept a lower salary in exchange for a better work-life balance.
Generation Z employees are encouraged to foster a supportive work environment, as 78% said the workplace should build community, social connections and belonging – and 75% said it’s important to have fun at work.
