Survey Suggests Gen X and Millennials are Disengaging from Work

A new survey from the professional community app Blind has debunked the myth that “quiet quitting” and disengagement are exclusive to Gen Z.

The study, conducted in late January 2026 among 1,677 Indian professionals, reveals that workers across all age groups—from Boomers to Gen Z—react to toxic workplaces with remarkably similar patterns of disengagement and burnout.

The “Quiet Disengagement” Standard

The data shows that “quietly disengaging and doing the minimum” is the most common response to toxicity across the board.

While Gen Z is often blamed for this trend, 39% of Gen X respondents admitted to quiet disengagement, matching the 39% of Gen Z who do the same.

Millennials followed closely at 33%. This suggests that “Neglect”—a passive response in Albert Hirschman’s classic economic framework—is a universal survival mechanism when employees feel unheard.

Survey Finds Burnout Knows No Age Limit

The survey highlights a shared frustration with “always-on” work cultures.

Approximately 50% of respondents across every generation agreed that after-hours messages are “often overused.”

This sentiment is backed by a 2025 Blind report showing that 83% of Indian professionals have experienced burnout, with 72% routinely exceeding the legal 48-hour workweek.

Whether it is a Boomer or a Gen Z professional, the consensus is clear. Poor management and overwork are driving the mass “checking out” of the Indian workforce.

Survey Reveals Toxicity Over Loyalty

When it comes to side jobs, the threat of a corporate ban triggers a similar “exit” mindset across generations.

Roughly 36% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials indicated they would look for a new job if their side hustle was restricted.

Interestingly, Boomers were the most likely to quit immediately at 31% when a workplace turned toxic.

This surpassed even Gen Z at 21% and proved that tolerance for toxicity is thinning regardless of tenure.

Mindset Over Birth Year

The findings suggest that workplace behavior is dictated by organizational response rather than age.

As one Apple employee noted on the platform, disengagement is a “mindset” shaped by the environment.

When companies fail to address internal problems, employees across the spectrum stop providing “Voice” and shift toward “Exit” or “Neglect.”

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