For decades, the traditional path was clear: work hard in your twenties and thirties, save for decades, and hope to enjoy life once you finally hit retirement age. But the new generation now flooding the workforce is no longer buying that formula. They don't want to wait decades to live their life because they recognize that retirement isn't a given anymore, so they're rewriting the script, taking prolonged, self-funded microretirements throughout their careers instead of waiting until their 60s to finally have a break.

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Why Gen Z?

One of the defining features of Gen Z is their prioritization of wellness. They have a better understanding of mental health than any prior generation, aren't drinking nearly as much alcohol, tend to make health-conscious food choices, are more into fitness, and insist on maintaining work/life balance. One survey found over 80 percent of Gen Z workers felt burnt out, indicating that they're harder hit and more aware of the signs than previous generations. As such, they're more focused on well-being in the workplace than earning the corner office, and they aren't afraid to take breaks from their jobs to live their lives or fulfill non-work-related dreams. 

What is microretirement?

Microretirements aren’t vacations, which are typically short, rushed pauses squeezed between workloads, with the knowledge that a mountain of tasks will be waiting on the other side. It's the practice of taking extended breaks—sometimes a year or more—between jobs. People use these career pauses for travel, rest, or personal projects instead of waiting for retirement to do these things. The primary goal with microretirements is to prevent burnout, but also to experience a different lifestyle and focus on personal growth. One survey found that 45 percent of respondents expect to work past the age of 70, and estimates suggest that 13 percent of retirees are planning to re-enter the workforce this year, largely due to the rising cost of living. With retirement increasingly out of reach for many, young people are opting for extended pauses instead of waiting around for decades to live their lives to the fullest. 

How is it reshaping professional narratives?

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With Gen Z normalizing taking sabbaticals, employers are having to adjust, especially as microretirements have been shown to increase productivity in the long run. When companies find ways to facilitate prolonged breaks, it can pay off, as employees return to work with more focus, energy, and motivation. It's also becoming a crucial part of recruiting, as 75 percent of employees think employers should offer unpaid sabbatical options. Some of the traditional assumptions that need to change include:

• It's a "red flag" when someone has a gap on their resume
• Constant availability translates to reliability
• Career paths should be linear and follow a continuous, upward trajectory
• Paid time-off and a traditional retirement trajectory are sufficient for employee satisfaction
• Employees value salary and promotions as much as or more than well-being and job satisfaction

Statistics show that 10 percent of employees are planning to take a microretirement at some point in their careers, and the movement is growing. As a result, employers will have to embrace the change and develop game plans if they want to attract young talent.