Why do Gen Z Face Anxiety Entering the Workplace?

For many young people, the first day at work is no longer a milestone filled with energy and anticipation. Instead, it is becoming a source of dread.

The study, commissioned by Trinity College London, surveyed 1,500 people aged between 16 and 29 who had either recently started work or were preparing to enter the workforce.

Its findings reveal a generation struggling not with motivation, but with the social reality of employment.

The office, once seen as a gateway to independence, now feels like unfamiliar territory.

From phone calls to presentations, everyday workplace expectations are triggering real stress.

As a result, the next generation of workers is stepping into employment already overwhelmed.

The Office Feels Intimidating

More than two-thirds of Gen Z workers say they are terrified of going into an office and would rather work from home.

The biggest anxiety, shared by 42% of those entering work, is having to engage with new people.

Despite the constant narrative about artificial intelligence threatening jobs, only 22% said they were worried about being replaced by AI. Human contact is the far greater concern.

Nearly 60% said they would struggle working with older colleagues. Over half believe traditional office banter can be inappropriate or offensive. Forty-two per cent have already had a negative interaction with a colleague or manager.

Every day communication creates pressure. Small talk fills 38% with dread while phone calls make 30% anxious, with many preferring to communicate by email or text.

Other basic parts of working life add to the strain.

Young workers worry about waking early, being on time, delivering presentations and coping with criticism. A third of those who had recently landed a job said they were already finding it too difficult.

What Gen Z Wants Changed at Work

Young workers are clear about what they would change if they had the power.

Mental health sits at the top of the list, with 32% saying they would make mental health days standard practice. Twenty-eight per cent would abandon the traditional nine-to-five in favour of flexible hours.

Transparency is also a major concern.

Twenty-six per cent want clearer information on salaries, a quarter would ban emails after 6 pm, one in five want fewer meetings, and 15% would make workplaces pet-friendly.

These priorities show that Gen Z wants structure without feeling restricted as well as clear boundaries between work and life.

Many do not trust traditional workplace culture to do this without formal safeguards.

Education is another area of concern. Sixteen per cent of those already in work said school had not prepared them for the realities of employment.

The shock is social rather than academic – dealing with feedback, speaking up, and keeping pace with expectations arrive all at once.

The research also shows a pattern: young people with creative education backgrounds handle these pressures better and feel more confident navigating the workplace.

Why Creative Subjects Build Work-Ready Confidence

Sixty-five per cent of Gen Z workers who studied creative subjects such as music, dance and drama said they felt ready for work. Among those who had not studied these subjects, only 46% felt the same.

Those with creative training were less likely to fear sharing opinions, presenting ideas, or navigating workplace language. These are the very situations that cause the most anxiety among the wider group.

Dr Eleanor Andressen, chief academic officer at Trinity College London, said:

“Many of Gen Z’s workplace anxieties and the skills employers are increasingly seeking – from presenting ideas to accepting feedback – are exactly the skills that creative education develops naturally.

“In a rehearsal room or studio, students learn to communicate clearly and confidently, work under pressure, build resilience and turn individual effort into shared results.

“These are the same capabilities needed in the workplace – for team meetings, client calls, and collaborative projects.”

The findings reinforce the argument that creative subjects teach far more than artistic technique. They help young people tolerate exposure, accept critique, and perform under scrutiny.

These are exactly the moments that now cause the most unease in offices across the country.

As creative education continues to be squeezed in schools, the consequences are becoming clearer. Fewer pupils experience environments where feedback is constant, mistakes are visible, and communication is unavoidable.

These gaps reappear later in boardrooms and meeting rooms.

Coping with the Practical Shock of Working Life

For many Gen Z workers, anxiety is intensified by sudden routines. Early mornings, commutes, and fixed schedules arrive without warning or preparation.

Dr Radha Modgil, author of Know Your Own Power: Inspiration, Motivation and Practical Tools for Life, says routine can become a stabiliser when approached gradually.

If an early start is required, she recommends treating the transition like returning to school after a long break. In the weeks before a new job, bedtime and waking time should be adjusted gradually.

Preparation is key for mornings.

Dr Modgil said: “Look at travel timetables. Get your work clothes ready the night before. Lay out your breakfast.

“These are things that all sound very simple but they help prepare you and can reduce anxiety.”

Her advice highlights a wider challenge. Many young workers start full-time employment without experience of routine through part-time work, commuting, or structured schedules. The pandemic widened that gap.

What previous generations absorbed gradually, Gen Z now encounters all at once.

Gen Z is not rejecting work, but approaching it with caution.

The anxiety revealed in the research stems from exposure, not entitlement. Young workers fear being judged, misunderstood, or criticised long before worrying about job security.

Their proposed reforms reflect this reality. Mental health days, flexible hours, and email curfews are not perks. They are safeguards against burnout and social pressure.

For employers, the message is clear. A workforce that fears everyday interaction cannot be supported with slogans alone. Training must go beyond technical skills. Confidence, communication, and resilience require active development.

For young workers, the path ahead demands both adaptation and accommodation.

Even when it feels uncomfortable, the workplace remains a social arena. Avoiding it may ease anxiety temporarily, but professional growth depends on visibility, dialogue, and trust.

The office may no longer feel aspirational to many Gen Z workers. Yet functioning within it remains unavoidable.

The real challenge is reshaping workplace culture without losing the human connection it still relies on.