More than half of the gen Z cohort aged 21 to 30 had been made ill by work-related stress in the past year, analysis of NHS staff surveys found.
Collected in 2023, this figure had increased from 38% in 2013, showing a 14% rise in the past decade. In the same period, the proportion of the 51-65 age group who reported being made ill by stress had decreased from 43% to 40%.
The number of gen Z professionals who were unhappy with their pay had more than doubled from 10% to 22%. This is compared to a 1% increase among those aged 51-65 from 11% to 12%.
While all of the staff did unpaid overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic, generally rates of unpaid labour were found to be decreasing. Workers aged between 41-65 were most likely to do unpaid overtime, with 16% saying they did at least six hours per week. This is compared to 7% of those aged 21-30.
However, all age groups reported doing more paid overtime than in 2013. In 2023, three in 10 gen Z staff said they did at least six hours of paid overtime per week. The researchers said this was likely due to increasing financial pressures.
Around 15% of the 21-30 age group said they rarely or never looked forward to work. Again, this was higher than the 51-65 group which had fallen from 13% to 10%.
A ‘tough start’ for gen Z staff
This data was collected as part of the 2023 NHS England Staff Survey and analysed by the Nuffield Trust. The analysis included a range of healthcare professionals including salaried primary care dentists and other dental professionals including those in training.
Nuffield Trust chief executive Thea Stein said: ‘The traditionally tough start faced by the youngest staff has got even tougher over the past decade, with gen Z NHS workers now having to manage exams, early career demands and learning the job in potentially overstretched services alongside escalating cost of living pressures.
‘Our findings raise real concerns around the NHS’s ability to retain its youngest workers, who are just at the start of their careers but are increasingly unhappy.
‘The future of the health service depends on these workers. It is vital policy-makers and employers now act on what the NHS’s own staff poll shows us about what the next generation of clinicians need to stay and thrive in the NHS.’
Speaking to the Guardian, an NHS spokesperson said: ‘NHS organisations have done a huge amount to improve the working environment for staff over the past couple of years and our staff retention levels are among the highest in over a decade – with a reduction in sickness and absence rates and an improvement in productivity.
‘The NHS is fully committed to ensuring staff get the support they need, and the health service is now offering more flexible working options than ever before, as well as a range of mental health support available for staff, including access to coaching and wellbeing resources.’
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