Gen X Thrives While Younger Workers Struggle With Remote Working

While Gen X reports higher productivity and digital confidence working remotely, Gen Z struggles with burnout, focus, and balancing longer hours at home.

Remote work has become a defining feature of the U.S. workforce. By 2025, more than 27 million Americans worked remotely, either full-time or part-time, shaping new norms around productivity, well-being, and career expectations.

A recent survey by Coworking Cafe of 1,000+ remote and hybrid workers reveals how this transformation is affecting employees across generations. Overall, stress has decreased for most, particularly women, who report relief from juggling commuting, work, and household responsibilities. Mental well-being is generally positive, though Gen Z shows higher burnout and more frequent feelings of isolation compared with Millennials and Gen X.

Remote Work Boosts Balance But Gen Z Struggles With Focus And Hours

Work-life balance has improved for nearly 70% of respondents, yet remote work often blurs boundaries. Almost half say they log longer hours at home, with younger generations feeling the pressure to stay visible in a digital environment. Despite these challenges, the majority say remote work has increased productivity, especially for Gen X and women, while Gen Z struggles more with focus amid household distractions.

Gen X Leads In Digital Confidence While Gen Z Lags In Remote Work Tools

Interestingly, digital confidence is highest among Gen X, who have adapted over decades to evolving workplace technologies, while Gen Z—often assumed to be the most tech-savvy—shows lower comfort with professional remote work tools. This underscores that success in a remote environment requires more than familiarity with apps; it demands discipline, structure, and experience.

Majority Of Remote Workers Would Consider Leaving If Forced Back

The data also highlights a potential turning point for employers: a large share of remote employees would consider leaving if forced to return full-time. Nearly 64% of Millennials say they would likely seek new opportunities, with women slightly more inclined than men. Gen Z shows more uncertainty, suggesting early-career workers are still weighing flexibility against career advancement.

These patterns indicate that the benefits of remote work—flexibility, autonomy, and reduced commuting—are shaping employee expectations for the long term. For companies, the lesson is clear: retaining talent now depends on supporting well-being, respecting work-life boundaries, and recognizing contributions by output rather than constant visibility.