Gen Z declares showing up to work sick, ‘powering through’ is no longer impressive: study

The days of “pushing through” an unwellness are over, arsenic astir a 3rd of Americans opportunity they’d alternatively you didn’t show up to activity if you’re emotion sick.

That’s according to a caller study of 2,000 people, which examined approaches to acold and flu and nan evolving etiquette astir remainder and recovery.

Thirty-one percent said there’s nary longer a badge of grant aliases admirable value to group showing up to activity ill, coughing aliases “powering through.” Just a 4th of Americans (25%) powerfully judge it would impressment bosses aliases superiors.

The study conducted by Talker Research connected behalf of Zipfizz besides recovered that while 21% of group person attended activity aliases a societal gathering erstwhile sick successful nan past 12 months, nan immense mostly (86%) consciousness concerned astir their ain well-being erstwhile others travel to activity visibly sick.

“I had already committed” (28%) and “I couldn’t spend to miss work” (27%) were among nan apical reasons group gave for pushing done illness.

Only a small complete a 5th (22%) of those presently employed said they felt unit from their employer to show up moreover erstwhile they weren’t emotion well.

While immoderate still consciousness compelled to show up for activity aliases societal events contempt being sick, this behaviour doesn’t travel without consequences.

Forty-two percent of group said their narration pinch personification would beryllium negatively affected if that personification knowingly showed up sick.

This consciousness of betrayal was particularly existent among younger generations — specifically Gen Z and millennials — who progressively worth wellness and boundaries successful societal interactions.

In fact, 64% of those who said their narration pinch personification would beryllium harmed if they showed up sick besides classified nan personification arsenic “selfish.”

“The results of this study bespeak a important taste displacement wherever taking attraction of one’s wellness is progressively seen arsenic much important than ‘powering through’ an illness,” said Marcela Kanalos, a spokesperson for Zipfizz. “While immoderate whitethorn still consciousness compelled to show up contempt being sick, it’s clear that some individual well-being and societal relationships are now apical priorities for many, particularly among younger generations who worth boundaries and respect successful societal interactions.”

The displacement successful attitudes toward unwellness is astir notable successful nan aftermath of nan COVID-19 pandemic.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said their expectations of others erstwhile it comes to sickness person changed since nan pandemic began.

Seventy percent of group said they consciousness much cautious astir hygiene and unwellness now compared to earlier nan pandemic, pinch handwashing, societal distancing, and avoiding nan sick becoming basal practices successful some societal and master settings.

This heightened consciousness of hygiene is reflected successful regular life, pinch galore group avoiding shared spaces for illustration buffets, charcuterie boards, and communal tables, pinch 29% of respondents saying they consciousness uncomfortable eating from shared nutrient successful societal settings.

This accrued attraction connected wellness and hygiene is besides reflected successful nan mundane habits group adopt to support their immune systems.

According to nan survey, drinking plentifulness of h2o (67%), getting capable slumber (52%), and taking vitamins aliases supplements (including vitamin C, 47%) classed among nan astir communal ways Americans prioritize their well-being.

Interestingly, nan increasing be aware astir shared nutrient and drinks besides reflects deeper societal shifts.

While 49% of group would consciousness comfortable sharing nutrient pinch friends, nan numbers dwindle erstwhile it comes to co-workers aliases strangers. Only 24% of respondents said they’d stock nutrient pinch their co-workers, and a specified 3% would stock drinks.
This taste displacement is not only reshaping really group attack unwellness successful person, but besides successful integer spaces.

Seventy percent of respondents said they would consciousness comfortable turning disconnected their camera during a video gathering if they were sick.

“As we proceed to accommodate to caller expectations astir health, it’s clear that group are becoming much mindful of really their actions impact others — some successful personification and online,” added Kanalos. “The emergence successful distant activity and virtual meetings, mixed pinch an accrued attraction connected hygiene and individual well-being, reflects a broader knowing that wellness isn’t conscionable astir emotion amended — it’s astir respecting nan wellness of those astir you.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; nan study was commissioned by Zipfizz and administered and conducted online by Talker Research betwixt Aug. 7 to Aug. 11, 2025.