"SNSseon meotjyeo boyeotneunde makssang gabwattdeoni…" Z generation, why they feel stressed on business trips [Segyeneun Zgeum]

Generation Z Faces Business Trip Stress
Familiar with Remote Work... Business Travel Is a Psychological Burden
Millennials Hold a Positive View of Business Trips

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is gaining attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [The World is Z Gold], we aim to shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z worldwide and explore how they are transforming society.

The generation that experiences the most stress during business trips has been found to be Generation Z. Pixabay

A recent survey found that Generation Z experiences the most stress during business trips. Having started their social lives after the COVID-19 pandemic, they have limited face-to-face experience and lower adaptability to unfamiliar environments, which is believed to contribute to their psychological burden regarding business travel. This contrasts with the active sharing of business trip moments by Gen Z workers on social networking services (SNS).

The report titled "Meeting the Future Business Traveler," published by Ipsos UK and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) based on a survey of 1,817 business travelers from the U.S. and the U.K., revealed that while 70% of Generation Z respondents said they "look forward to business trips," they were actually the generation that felt the most stress from business travel. In the U.S., 52% of Gen Z and 47% in the U.K. cited business trips as a source of stress, figures higher than those of other generations. The report evaluated that "Generation Z is the youngest generation in the workplace and holds the most complex feelings about business trips." It analyzed that their lower rank and salary levels, along with weaker bonds with their organizations, may result in lower satisfaction with business travel.

Changes in the working environment are also cited as one of the reasons Generation Z finds business trips burdensome. Having started their social lives after the COVID-19 pandemic, Gen Z is accustomed to remote or hybrid work environments. For those familiar with non-face-to-face interactions, business trips can be perceived as unpredictable and emotionally taxing offline activities.

Some point to "lack of experience" as a cause of business trip stress. Psychologist Dr. Marie Helen Pelletier told the U.S. current affairs weekly Newsweek in an interview, "The mere fact that business trips are different from everyday life makes them burdensome," adding, "Regardless of preference, business trips require energy." She further explained, "The less experience young workers have with business trips, the more it leads to anxiety and stress."

In contrast, the Millennial generation (born 1980?1994) tends to view business trips more positively. They see business travel as beneficial in various aspects such as career development, team building, and work motivation. Notably, many use business trips to plan vacations. Seventy-four percent of Millennial respondents said they "would like to add personal travel or leisure activities after business trips," a figure higher than the overall average of 68%. This reflects a perspective that views business trips not merely as work but as opportunities to enhance quality of life and career.

Kelly Beaver, CEO of Ipsos UK, emphasized, "Generation Z, who started their social lives in such uncertain times, faces more difficulties than previous generations. Offline collaboration plays a crucial role in increasing employee engagement and bonding. Companies must understand Gen Z’s stress and actively respond to alleviate it."

Evan Konweiser, Chief Strategy Officer at Amex GBT, said, "Generation Z knows that business trips help career growth, but unexpected issues like schedule disruptions can cause significant emotional burden. Only when technological tools such as AI and digital systems are combined with direct human support can their anxiety be effectively reduced."