Overview

• In Bupa’s survey of 8,000 UK adults, 45% of Gen Z respondents said they were considering jobs with more face-to-face interaction, compared with 27% across all ages.
• Thirty-eight percent of Gen Z reported feeling socially isolated because of their work circumstances, a higher rate than other generations.
• Young people working as social media influencers were the most affected, with 45% saying their work made them lonely and about a third planning a return to full-time traditional employment within five years.
• Policy and workplace specialists advise employers to retain younger staff by offering secure employment, clear routes to progression, regular in-person learning opportunities, and engaged line management.
• Bupa reports a 100% increase in mental health-related claims for 18–35 year olds since 2019, while large employers such as Amazon, JP Morgan, Primark and Tesco have tightened in-office requirements.