Younger workers are firmly redefining attitudes toward illness in the workplace, no longer admiring the once-celebrated practice of "powering through" sickness. A recent survey reveals Gen Z and millennials are leading a cultural shift that now labels showing up sick as selfish behavior rather than dedication.
According to a Talker Research survey of 2,000 Americans for Zipfizz, 42% said their relationship with someone would suffer if that person knowingly came to work sick. Among those, 64% called this behavior selfish, with younger generations particularly valuing health boundaries and collective wellbeing over outdated workplace toughness. Only 25% of respondents believe coming to work sick impresses a boss, marking a clear departure from the old norm that saw it as a badge of honor.
This shift is driven by concern for the health of colleagues, with 86% of Americans worried about exposure from visibly ill coworkers. Gen Z and millennials especially see violating health boundaries as a breach of social responsibility, turning away from the old idea of presenteeism as dedication and viewing it instead as inconsiderate and harmful.
While pressures to appear despite illness persist—28% said they showed up because they had already committed, and 27% because they couldn’t afford to miss work—only 22% felt direct employer pressure. This points to internal expectations playing a bigger role in presenteeism.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this health-conscious transformation, with 57% saying their sickness-related expectations have changed, and 70% adopting improved hygiene and cautiousness toward illness. Social behaviors have changed too, with fewer people willing to share food and drinks at work compared to with friends.
Technology offers alternatives, as 70% would feel comfortable turning off their camera during a video meeting if sick, balancing participation with health concerns.
Overall, Americans now prioritize proactive wellness measures such as drinking water, sleeping well, and taking supplements, rejecting the old ideal of working while sick. Being a responsible colleague today means protecting others' health, respecting boundaries, and acknowledging how individual choices affect the collective workplace. The era of admiring sick-day martyrdom is coming to an end.