Meet “Gen Zen”: Gen Z Chooses Balance Over Burnout at Work

Findings from 3,500+ U.S. workers show Gen Z favors personal growth, flexibility, and well-being perks over traditional corporate loyalty, a shift employers can’t afford to ignore

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New research from SurveyMonkey, the world’s most popular platform for surveys and forms, reveals the rise of a new workplace mindset: “Gen Zen.” This is defined by Gen Z’s pursuit of peace, balance, and values alignment, even as they remain ambitious for growth and leadership beyond traditional career ladders. Based on a nationally representative survey of 3,573 U.S. full-time workers, the findings of the 2025 Workplace Culture and Trends study spotlight how Gen Z’s shifting priorities are reshaping the future of work.

Happiness through acknowledgment, not overload.

Gen Z approaches after-hours work communications differently than older generations. Rather than feeling tethered, they report that these interactions enhance their sense of recognition and validation.

• Nearly one in five Gen Z workers (19%) say they feel happy when receiving work communications outside of hours, compared with just 7% of Gen X.
• Thirty percent of Gen Z say after-hours messages make them feel appreciated or needed, signaling that recognition matters more than strict boundaries alone.
• While 77% of Gen Z workers report “healthy” work-life balance, 67% still believe sacrificing personal time is necessary for success, a tension the younger generations are actively redefining.

Less company loyalty, more self-advancement.

For Gen Z, career growth is personal, not company-bound.

• Only 28% of Gen Z say they’re satisfied where they are, compared with 47% of Gen X.
• One in three Gen Z workers (33%) would rather switch companies to advance, compared with 22% of Gen X workers.
• At the same time, 80% of Gen Z aspire to top leadership roles, underscoring their ambition alongside their preference for paths that reflect balance and meaning, not just loyalty to one company.

Prioritizing boundaries and personal goals.

Gen Z puts a premium on personal priorities and flexibility rather than traditional expectations.

• Nearly 9 in 10 Gen Z workers (91%) say they’re waiting to hit a certain income level before pursuing major life milestones (like starting a family or purchasing a home), highlighting financial security as a nonnegotiable foundation.

Across the broader workforce, employees across all generations are also challenging outdated norms and seeking new ways to balance work and life.

• When asked what workplace expectations feel most unrealistic, the top responses tied frequent mental health days/unlimited PTO (18%) and constant praise or validation (18%).
• 72% of workers overall have or are considering a side hustle, reflecting the demand for flexibility and diversified paths to success.

“The research makes it clear that Gen Z is ambitious, but on their own terms,” said Wendy Smith, senior manager, research science at SurveyMonkey. “They aim high—80% aspire to top leadership—but won’t compromise their health, loyalty, or personal boundaries for the sake of a promotion. That shift, what we’re calling ‘Gen Zen’, is a wake-up call for employers: balance and values are the new currency of workplace success.”

The full findings of the 2025 Workplace Culture and Trends study can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/learn/workplace-trends-for-a-new-era/

Methodology:

This SurveyMonkey study was conducted between July 25 to August 3, 2025, among a sample of 3,573 full-time workers in the US. Respondents for this survey were selected from a non-probability online panel. The modeled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 2.0 percentage points. Data have been weighted for age, race, sex, education, and geography using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the overall demographic composition of the United States.

About SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is the world’s most popular platform for surveys and forms, built for business and loved by users. We combine powerful capabilities with intuitive design, effectively serving every use case, from customer experience to employee engagement, market research to payment and registration forms. With built-in research expertise and AI-powered technology, it’s like having a team of expert researchers right at your fingertips. Trusted by millions—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—SurveyMonkey helps teams gather insights and information that inspire better decisions, create experiences people love, and drive business growth. Discover how at surveymonkey.com.