Generation Z hotel employees’ coping strategies for job burnout

Abstract

There is a rising pervasiveness of burnout among workers in the hospitality industry. This qualitative study explores burnout and coping strategies in hotel Generation Z employees. Individual resourcefulness is studied through the lens of conservation of resources theory, and the critical incident technique is used to understand a personal experience of burnout and the coping strategies used to manage own well-being. This study intends to contribute to the hospitality workforce literature, as research that considers Generation Z's individual characteristics, strengths, and strategies in the context of dealing with hotel organisational conditions in the post-Covide-19 era is yet to be made. Practical management implications will also be drawn to empower and help Generation Z hotel employees to achieve a more balanced and purposeful work-life and actively support their careers in the hotel sector.