THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH AND EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS ON WELLNESS PROGRAMS AMONG GENERATION Z AND MILLENNIALS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Employee mental health as a critical issue in the present-day workplace, particularly among Generation Z and Millennials. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health challenges, amplifying burnout, digital fatigue and stress among younger workers. This research focuses on the relationship between employee mental health, the evolving expectations of these generations and the efficacy of the wellness initiatives in the Malaysian private sector. Based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, the study highlights the misalignment between traditional wellness programs and the mental health needs of young employees, focusing the need for psychological safety, comprehensive support, and flexibility. Through the research, it is apparent that there are numerous wellness programs that currently exist but fail to meet the psychological and emotional demands of younger employees and hence burnout and detachment is witnessed. Policy recommendations include diversifying wellness offerings, implementing flexible work conditions, normalizing mental health discussions, and securing commitment of leadership. The study reinforces the need for a paradigm shift in the approaches to organizational wellness strategies, aligning them with the mental health expectations of modern employees to foster engagement, productivity, and retention.