Young Italian Workers Are The Most Stressed In The World

The improvements in living standards over the past 150 years are allowing us to spend fewer hours working and are helping to raise expectations about what a job should offer.

“Although compensation is still on the podium of the priorities of most workers, – explains Roberta Berlinghieri, partner of Bain & Company – in Italy only one in five workers classifies him as the main factor for choosing a job, with flexibility taking on an increasingly important role: for 12% of Italian workers is already the first reason to choose a job “.

Bain has identified six employee archetypes , each characterized by a different mix of properties, for which companies must create distinct employee value propositions.

• Worker Bees: They find meaning and self-esteem mainly outside of their work, considering their occupation as a means. They are not motivated by status or autonomy, and prefer stability and predictability. They have team spirit, but often lack proactivity.

• • Givers: They find motivation in jobs that improve the lives of others, such as medicine or teaching. Their empathic nature typically results in deep interpersonal relationships. Their more cautious nature leads them to be impractical and naive.
  • Artisans: They are looking for a job that fascinates or inspires them and they love to be appreciated for their expertise. Typically they want a high degree of autonomy, giving less importance to teamwork. They risk being detached and losing sight of their goals.
  • Explorers: They tend to live in the present and seek careers that provide a high degree of variety and excitement. They tend to take a pragmatic approach to professional development, achieving only the necessary level of competence. They may lack direction and conviction.
  • Strivers: They are motivated by professional success, and value status and reward. They are planners who can be relatively risk averse. They are willing to tolerate more routine jobs as long as it helps them achieve their long-term goals. Their competitiveness can test trust within the organization.
  • Pioneers: They deeply identify with their work and through their profession they want to change the world. They are the most risk-tolerant and future-oriented, willing to make great sacrifices in the name of their vision. They put their energy at the service of change, but they risk being uncompromising and imperious.
   

  “In Italy – explains Roberta Berlinghieri – the most widespread archetype is the first, that of the Worker Bees, the operatives. In particular, this predominance is evident in the age group 35 -54 “.

The boom in Smart Working and Gig Economy has significantly changed the way workers interact with companies. These changes have reduced company costs, but also have negative consequences for workers, particularly in terms of the level of professional satisfaction and connection between colleagues.

“Italy is – continues Berlinghieri – from this point of view, very fragmented. We are witnessing a great polarization in the desires of Italian workers: 27% would rather never (or almost never) work remotely, 17% would instead opt for five days a week of smart working “.

Young people are subjected to increasing psychological tension which is reflected in their working life. If this trend manifests itself in a widespread manner in all the geographical areas taken into consideration, Italy is on the podium, after Japan and Brazil: 64% of Italian workers under 35 interviewed feel overwhelmed or under stress, while only 54% of over 35s and 44% of over 55s cite work and economic stability as concerns.

“Only 60% of Italian workers interviewed are satisfied with their prefession”