Sophie, who is using a fake name due to sensitivities with work, says she’s afraid to take a sick day because she won’t get paid, so pushes herself to work.
Because she’s only been in her job for about four months, she isn’t entitled to paid sick leave until she’s employed for six months under New Zealand employment laws.
“I work in an office where it's [a] very open concept office and there's a lot of people so
seems like all the time, it's very easy to get sick in there and I can't just not get sick,” she adds.
The 28-year-old says she’s also had temporary jobs where getting paid sick leave wasn’t an option, and impacted her ability to save money.
“I feel like I can only take one day of sick leave before it’s sort of like, ‘Oh well, I'm not getting paid half my paycheck’.”
She adds that, unlike her parent’s generation, she doesn’t have a safety net in such uncertain economic times, which she says is one of the reasons she gets stressed when she can’t save.
On top of this, Sophie says she feels dread every time she needs to buy groceries and petrol.
What used to be a weekly grocery shop of just under $100 with her partner is now averaging $150 per week.
“It just makes you feel like oh god, well I can't do anything fun this week because I have to buy petrol. [It’s] kind of stopping me from doing my life.
“I really like to go out to eat and go out to drink and stuff like that, but I don't even enjoy it now because I just know every time I go out, I'm automatically spending $50 or $100 just to have a meal and a drink.”
Cost-of-living pressure impacts Gen Z’s mental health
A 2024 survey of 1,229 workers across all generations by the Employers and Manufacturers Association and insurance company nib, shows 74% of Gen Z (16 to 30 year olds) workers have been negatively impacted by the cost of living.
The Workplace Wellbeing survey also reveals 53% of young people say their mental health has been negatively impacted, which is 10% more than the general population, and 55% are concerned about the risk of burnout.
Sophie says she feels at risk of burnout, even though she hasn’t been at her job for too long.
While she clarified her job doesn’t glorify “overworking”, she says her colleagues, including her boss, work overtime.
Working in admin means there’s always something to do, and she says she feels she has to work overtime too because she’s worried her team won’t think she’s as hardworking.
“If the boss is late to work or whatever, I have to work extra hours to kind of make up for it. Occasionally I've had to work on the weekends, which really affects my mental and physical health,” she adds.
Clinical psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland from Umbrella Wellbeing, a team of psychologists who provide workplace wellbeing support, says the data is concerning, but not at all surprising.
“These people would be at the start of their careers and perhaps have the most to lose from any change in their employment or from any change in cost-of-living pressures, as they'll probably be on relatively low incomes compared to more senior colleagues.”
He says financial stability impacts core aspects of life, such as food and housing, and young workers may feel more vulnerable compared with colleagues who have been working longer.
“When something as fundamental as ‘can I afford to live and eat and transport and do all the things I want to do’ comes into question, I think it’s only natural we might feel anxious and worried.”
Three tips to manage wellbeing from a clinical psychologist
Dr Sutherland acknowledges there’s no straightforward answer and a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to mental health.
But he shared three tips on how young people can navigate it and manage their wellbeing in these tough economic times.
Tip #1: Don’t suffer alone
Since there are several others in the same position, he says it’s sometimes helpful to compare notes with colleagues who may also be worried about similar things, such as financial pressures and job security.
“It can make carrying that burden a little less of a worry.”
Tip #2: Figure out what you can control
He says people often get anxious about something we can’t control – like the uncertainty in such tough economic times. He says to do what you can to figure out what you can control, no matter how small that may be.
“Even as small as ‘look, I’ve got my CV in order in case I lose my job or I’ve got alternative plans in order in case I can’t afford certain things’.”
Tip #3: Seek the wisdom of people who’ve been in the workforce longer
He says those who have been in the workforce for about a decade or two have a bit more perspective because they have gone through difficult times like these, and have come out the other side.
“When you’re new to the workforce, you don’t always have that perspective so getting that from somebody else would be helpful.”
Where to get help:
- 1737: The nationwide, 24/7 mental health support line. Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
- Suicide Crisis Line: Free call 0508 TAUTOKO or 0508 828 865. Nationwide 24/7 support line operated by experienced counsellors with advanced suicide prevention training.
- Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633, free text 234. Nationwide service focused on supporting young people.
- OUTLine NZ: Freephone 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463). National service that helps LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders access support, information and a sense of community.
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