millennial stress

The March 6, 2013, edition of the Employee Benefit Advisor, relates rather interesting information about our youngest of the American workforce. Millennials, young adults born between 1980 and 2000, make up about one-third of today’s U.S. workforce. Called everything from ‘innovative’ to ‘entitled,’ a recent Stress in America study from the American Psychological Association has a different label for them: Stressed.

According to this survey, stress levels decreased across the board in 2012 except for those between the ages of 18 and 33. On the survey’s 10-point scale, where a 10 indicates ‘a great deal of stress,’ the average stress level of all Americans was 4.9. For Millennials, it was 5.4. Millennials reported their top stressors as work (cited by 76%), money (73%) and relationships (59%).

CuraLinc Healthcare, in their book of business EAP utilization data for 2012. seems to offer further validation:

 Millennials do have job stress. Despite only representing 29% of all EAP users, those between 18 and 33 years old constituted almost half (48%) of EAP cases where the primary presenting concern was ‘Job Stress’.

 Millennials are resolution-focused. Case resolution within the EAP was higher with Millennial employees (95%) than it was among all other age groups (87%).

 Millennials have personal financial concerns. Two in five cases (41%) involving financial consultation through the EAP were provided to Millennials, even though those between 18 and 33 years old made up only 29% of EAP users.

An employee assistance program (EAP)--through short-term counseling and work-life benefits--can have a positive impact on such stressors. The opportunity to discuss, in a confidential setting, ways to minimize stress and to develop personal resiliency, can help build coping skills that the Millennial can apply to work and to their personal and family life. If you, or your other favorite Millennial would like to take advantage of the assistance available, call Tanner EAP at 770.834.8327. Assistance is confidential and free.