Despite the Great Resignation and trends like quiet quitting, most younger workers in the U.S. are likely to report being satisfied with their jobs, though less so than their older counterparts.
Key Details
- Younger workers in the U.S. have seemingly become less engaged with their jobs as “hustle culture” tends to fade away. However, around 85% report job satisfaction, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
- While older workers and those more established in their careers were more likely than younger coworkers to report job satisfaction, most younger employees are generally content with their jobs.
- Personal connections and compensation are crucial in how satisfied younger workers are with their employment.
Why it’s news
Though the Great Resignation is coming to close, recent trends like quiet quitting have given the impression that younger workers are more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs. However, current polling suggests otherwise.
One key factor determining a younger employee’s satisfaction with a job is the ability to develop personal connections at work. Of survey respondents ages 18 to 29, 65% say they are extremely or very satisfied with their relationship with their coworkers. A similar number report the same thing about their managers or supervisors.
Despite many developing strong work relationships, around 46% report not being satisfied with their daily workloads. The same amount also reported disappointment with the benefits their employer provides—such as health insurance or time off.
When considering compensation at work, young employees are fairly split on whether or not they are satisfied. Around 31% said they were extremely satisfied, 37% said they were somewhat satisfied, and 32% said they were not satisfied.
Despite many young workers describing their job as enjoyable or important, more young employees are likely to describe their job negatively. In the 18 to 29 age group, around 32% report that their job is stressful. However, about 25% of those 50 to 64 and 19% of those 65 and older would describe their jobs similarly.
Another 25% of workers between 18 and 29 would also describe their job as overwhelming compared to just 15% of workers ages 50 to 64.
Even with these negative connotations, around 44% of younger workers described their job as enjoyable overall, and 39% said it was fulfilling.