Generation Z and Kenya’s workplace mental health crisis
Written by Caroline Moraa
Photo by Christina Morillo / creative license
“Do not remind me of that place, it gave me post-traumatic stress disorder which has resulted in panic attacks even after leaving three months down the line.” Jackie, a 23-year-old customer service agent based in Nairobi, Kenya, is speaking about a toxic work environment she recently left.
Lately Generation Z — individuals born between 1997 and 2012 — has been entering the workforce. This generation is known for its high digital affluence and proactive advocacy for social issues, with many Gen Z adults articulating the unique mental health issues they face at their workplaces, highlighting systemic problems that need attention.
According to a recent study by the American Psychology Association, approximately 70% of Gen Z adults have experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Most of them are attributed to stressors in the work environment such as high-performance expectations, unrealistic targets, compulsory remote working in some organisations and a lack of work-life balance. The study presents a clear picture of the nexus between mental health and work among this generation.
Remote work pre and post-Covid 19
The concept of remote working, though not completely novel, has witnessed significant progress since the Covid-19 pandemic. When the pandemic struck in early 2020, most organisations had to adapt to a way of working online. The transition came with a number of challenges such as technology adaptations and other setbacks including isolation, which led to burnout among many employees. Regardless, most organisations fully adopted remote working across the world, leading to a shift in how employees conduct business operations.
This brought about varied feelings among Gen Zs. While most Kenyan Gen Zs appreciate the flexibility and reduced transport stress, some have raised concerns that it has led to loneliness and difficulty separating personal and work lives. “As a data analyst in a bank, where I have been working for one and a half years, I do it exclusively remotely. Whenever I hear the notification tone of an incoming Teams meeting, which happens twice every working day, I get anxious due to the way my boss treats me in regards to project milestones”, laments Bridget, a 26-year-old data analyst based in Nairobi, Kenya, during our interview.
A 2021 study indicated that 81% of workers aged below 35 suffer from heightened levels of anxiety and stress which undermine their wellbeing. “I have not been able to separate my personal life and work life,” Bridget adds. “I usually find myself working past midnight, trying to achieve project milestones, which has increased my stress levels. I also feel isolated since I do not physically interact with people.”
Despite the advances in remote working, its adoption has not been uniform. The phenomenon can be attributed to different company cultures and issues deeply entrenched in the culture of remote working post-pandemic. Mental health issues have also developed especially among Gen Zs who have been entering the job market. Moreover, concerns about isolation, productivity, data security and privacy, and the potential erosion of company culture have been common drawbacks.
The effects of high taxes on mental health
A massive number of Gen Zs have complained about low pay in Kenya. An average entry-level job across various professions pays around $300-$400 per month. Besides, there is the aspect of taxes, levies and inconveniences including delayed payments that add onto the burden of the high cost of living.
Recently, the government passed a couple of unpopular bills and proposed the highly punitive Finance Bill 2024 in a quest to increase revenue by taxing pay slips. Even though this was withdrawn after weeks of nationwide Gen Z-led protests, the other two bills have aggravated the stress among Gen Zs due to high taxation on salaries that are already low. Many have aired the negative effects the high taxes will have on their mental health since they reduce their odds of survival in a difficult economy.
Karen, an information technologist by profession, expressed concerns that had the Finance Bill 2024 been passed into law, her budget would be gravely affected since she pays a significant amount of Black Tax and her living expenses would have risen despite her salary remaining the same. “My employer does not care about the taxes; I will pay them while my salary stagnates!”, she says. She also laments how the 2023 Finance Bill had detrimental effects on her income since it was passed into law by the current government.
Despite conscientiously managing her finances,Karen now fears that the Finance Bill 2024 will worsen her financial stress. Already feeling the pinch from the last bill, she worries about the possible rise in living costs without an equivalent salary increase. Her role as the main breadwinner, together with her obligation to pay Black Tax leaves her stressed, and she expresses frustration that her employer remains unresponsive to the increased tax burden, leaving her to bear financial problems alone.
The Black tax and Kenya’s Gen Z workforce
The term ‘Black Tax’ originated in South Africa, and it refers to money that Black employees, especially professionals and those with a higher income, give to their parents, siblings, or other extended family members. It is often out of obligation or a deep-rooted sense of family responsibility among most African communities.
In Kenya, the concept of Black Tax has been a long-lasting tradition, rooted in the country’s cultural fabric, where the accomplishment of a family member is viewed as the success of the entire nuclear and extended family. Nonetheless, as economic burdens increase and the cost of living rises, the strains of the Black Tax are becoming more apparent.
A notable number of Gen Zs joining the Kenyan labour force have this burden. They are obligated to extend financial assistance to their siblings and parents to alleviate generational poverty. This has come with various mental health issues resulting from low pay, high budgets and toxic work environments. “I have a considerable Black Tax due to my younger siblings,” Jackie explains. “At the end of the month I have to send about 40% of my monthly net income to cater for my family’s needs. They truly do not understand how my workplace is toxic, and I cannot resign for now since the whole financial burden is on me, and my hands are tied,” she says.
The need for flexible working environments
The pressure of Black Tax is not only monetary, but also emotional. Many young people feel the need to support their families, who have sacrificed resources to educate and provide for them. Failure to support families can lead to feelings of guilt and failure, which could exacerbate mental health issues. It has the repercussions of delaying personal development milestones, moving to a better house, advancing in education, saving and even starting a family. This can further lead to stress and a sense of being left behind in life by peers who do not face the same issue.
As the mental health of many Gen Z employees has been detrimentally affected by toxic work cultures, low pay and the Black Tax, by promoting flexible work environments and a culture of understanding, employers have an opportunity to improve the wellbeing of their workforce.
This story was produced as part of ‘How to write for impact’, a mentorship programme created by NADJA Media for members of Politics4Her, a feminist youth-led digital platform advocating for the inclusive participation of young women in leadership. To find out more email hello@nadja.co
READ MORE