60% of Gen Z Use Email to Avoid Conflict and Anxiety at Work, ZeroBounce Survey Finds

Email is Gen Z’s favorite work communication channel, but the reason points to something deeper. Here’s how Gen Z likes to communicate – and the career values that drive the youngest generation in the workforce.

Sixty percent of Gen Zers use email to avoid awkward conversations and workplace anxiety, a new survey by ZeroBounce finds — and women (65%) are even more likely to rely on email this way. Some explained that email “allows a degree of separation” and helps them set personal boundaries at work. 

It could be why, despite their love for instant messaging, Gen Z prefers email on the job:

• 42% said email is their favorite channel, twice as many as those who picked Slack or WhatsApp.
• ZeroBounce’s survey also reveals that Gen Z would rather get on a phone call (7%) than a video call (2%), pointing again toward their preference for low-pressure communication channels. 

The numbers tell a clear story: Gen Z is crafting a communication style that feels safer and less emotionally demanding. But as reassuring as email may feel, it might also be masking something deeper.

The way Gen Z uses email could be “avoidance coping”

“Gen Z’s preference for email could be a form of avoidance coping,” says Dr. Catherine Wikholm, clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent and young adult mental health. “This is a maladaptive coping mechanism that reduces anxiety in the moment, but often exacerbates it in the longer term.”

Dr. Wikholm adds: “Avoiding direct communication prevents them from building up their tolerance for anxiety. Coping strategies such as grounding and breathing techniques can help to reduce anxiety symptoms.”

Gen Z leans on email to create space, avoid conflict, and feel more in control at work, but the emotional toll is real:

• 53% said email stresses them out
• This stress affects productivity: 92% get less work done because of email overwhelm.

And it’s not just the volume of email that’s weighing on them – it’s how unsure they still feel about using it professionally.

Gen Z is still learning how to write a work email

Beyond stress, ZeroBounce’s study highlights Gen Z’s biggest email etiquette challenges: 57% say they’re unsure how formal their work emails should be. Workplace communication is nuanced, but it’s surprising to see how Gen Z is struggling to adapt based on the survey’s key findings: 

• 51% aren’t sure when to follow up if they don’t get a reply
• 26% are confused about when to CC vs. BCC someone
• 14% don’t know whether emojis are acceptable in work emails.

Clearly, writing a professional email isn’t always intuitive — and Gen Z is still figuring it out.

Gen Z men are more motivated by salary

ZeroBounce’s Gen Z at Work Report also looks at how Gen Z’s communication preferences and career values differ by gender. While work-life balance remains their top career motivator (32%), their communication habits and values break down along gender lines:

• Men (55%) report slightly higher email anxiety than women (52%), contradicting the stereotype that women struggle more with workplace communication stress.
• 45% of women prefer email as their primary work communication tool, compared to 39% of men, suggesting they see it as a safer space.
• Men (16%) prioritize making a meaningful contribution more than women (14%), while women care more about company culture (7%) and workplace recognition (6%).

ZeroBounce surveyed nearly 1,400 Gen Z professionals across the United States, Canada, UK, and other European countries. For more insights into how Gen Z navigates the workplace, visit https://www.zerobounce.net/GenZ-work-report/. 

About ZeroBounce

ZeroBounce is an award-winning email validation, deliverability, and email-finding company helping businesses improve their email performance. With a focus on accuracy, security, and customer support, ZeroBounce is the go-to choice for more than 400,000 customers worldwide.

ZeroBounce’s 99% accurate email validation service helps senders prevent bounces and maintain a good reputation. The email deliverability toolkit further supports companies in reaching the inbox. Its Email Finder provides professionals with valid business email addresses to enhance their email outreach efforts, while DMARC Monitor helps organizations enhance domain security. The platform also includes email warmup services, helping users build trust with inbox providers and improve deliverability. 

For more information, visit https://www.zerobounce.net.