Millennials ‘Feel Guilty’ About Taking PTO—but Most Boomers Don’t

Millennials are the generation most likely to feel guilty about taking time off from work for personal well-being, according to a new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of iced tea brand Halfday.

The survey, which polled a nationally representative sample of 3,767 U.S. adults between March 14 and 19, 2025, found that 58 per cent of millennial respondents (ages 29-44) said they experience some level of guilt when taking PTO for self-care, mental health, or relaxation.

In contrast, only 40 percent of baby boomers (aged 55 and older) reported feeling any guilt for doing the same.

The survey focused specifically on time taken off that excludes sick leave, doctor’s appointments—instead honing in on time explicitly set aside for personal well-being and leisure.

Respondents were asked whether they felt “very guilty,” “somewhat guilty,” “a little bit guilty,” or “not guilty at all” about taking time off for themselves.

Across the board, younger respondents were more likely to feel conflicted about putting themselves first, with millennials leading the way. In total, 55 per cent of Gen Z said they felt some level of guilt about taking time off for personal wellbeing, followed by 48 per cent of Gen X.

The findings underscore growing concerns over work-life balance, burnout, and the lingering cultural stigma around taking breaks in an always-on work culture. While younger workers are often lauded for pushing for mental health days and personal boundaries, this data reveals that many still feel uneasy about actually using that time.

Mike Lombardo, Co-Founder of Halfday, told Newsweek: “Millennials feel guilty about taking PTO because they entered the workforce in a unique time, when technology really started to boom, and there is this expectation of always being available.

“Even with automated out of office messages turned on, you still get notifications on your phone as email and requests are coming in. In the U.S., the work-life balance is always tipped on the work side, compared to most other countries, and there is also this dread that when they come back, they’re going to have to play a ton of catch-up,” Lombardo said.

It isn’t just work that contributes to the “always on” culture either, Lombardo explained: “We’ve also seen a rise in ‘hustle culture’ content across all social media platforms, which basically tells you that constant work equals success. People have been taught over time that as the narrative has gained momentum, taking breaks or vacation can show a lack of ambition or drive.”

He explained that taking time off is essential to health and success. “What people aren’t thinking or talking about enough is just how important it is to take a break and reset yourself to avoid burnout.

“Even just a half day off is a nice entry point to using your full PTO days. People perform the best when they’re happy, and research has shown that taking time off contributes to mood enhancement,” he said.

Total sample size was 3767 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between by YouGov Plc. between 14th – 19th March 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all U.S. adults (aged 18+). Some results were excluded from this analysis due to small sample sizes.