International Youth Day: Why Young Workers Deserve Special Attention

On Wednesday, August 12, the world will pause to mark International Youth Day. This day, established by the United Nations in 1999, highlights an important theme related to young people each year. The theme for 2026 is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”: different backgrounds, shared ambitions.

This is a great opportunity to also take a moment to consider a group that is sometimes overlooked in the workplace: young employees.

Young, but not carefree

The saying “the future belongs to the young” sounds optimistic, but in practice, it is precisely young employees who face specific challenges. New hires, interns, and employees who have just landed their first job or permanent contract still have little work experience and are often still trying to find their footing within an organization.

As a result, they sometimes find it difficult to set boundaries or ask questions. At the same time, they are navigating a job market in which flexible contracts, performance pressure, and constant digital availability have become increasingly common. It is precisely this combination that makes young employees particularly vulnerable to stress and burnout.

Studies by organizations such as TNO and CBS have shown for years that young people relatively often experience work-related stress and burnout symptoms. This is a cause for concern, because a healthy career begins with a healthy start.

Why are young workers more vulnerable?

Several factors play a role here:

• Uncertainty about one’s own position. A temporary contract or probationary period makes it harder to set boundaries or say “no” to a heavy workload.
• Limited work experience. Without a basis for comparison, it is difficult to assess what constitutes a healthy workload and when support is needed.
• Always online. For a generation that grew up with smartphones, the line between work and personal life is blurring more quickly.
• Limited guidance. Not every organization has a good onboarding or mentoring program, which means that young employees sometimes feel they lack sufficient support.

Prevention starts on the first day of work

Sustainable employability doesn't just begin later in a career. It is precisely during the early years that healthy work habits, clear expectations, and an open work culture can make all the difference.

Every ZekerArbo we see every day how minor signs can develop into long-term Sickness Absence if they aren’t recognized in time. Think of chronic overtime, recurring headaches, reduced motivation, or difficulty recovering after a workday. With a Preventive Medical Examination (PMO) or a Risk Assessment (RI&E), we identify these kinds of signs early on, well before they develop into Sickness Absence.

By initiating a conversation early on and making minor adjustments where necessary, many problems can be prevented. For young employees, this often yields the greatest benefit: a solid foundation for the rest of their careers.

What can employers do?

Employers can help young employees get off to a healthy start in a number of ways:

• Invest in a solid onboarding process. Ensure a well-defined onboarding period, clear expectations, and a designated point of contact.
• Make work pressure a topic of discussion. Create a culture in which employees feel safe discussing their workload. Our service, “Direct een goed gesprek” (Yet), helps with this—even before a serious problem arises.
• Encourage mentoring. An experienced colleague can help young employees with their professional development and in recognizing healthy boundaries. Our workshops and training sessions offer practical support in this area.
• Make prevention a priority. Involve the company physician or Occupational Health Service not only in Sickness Absence, but also in preventive efforts to identify risks early on, for example through an occupational health assessment (PAGO).
• Give talent and ambition room to grow. Listen to the wishes and ideas of young employees and offer them opportunities for further development.

A healthy start is an investment in the future

International Youth Day is more than just a symbolic date on the calendar. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on how organizations guide and support young employees.

At ZekerArbo , we believe that investing in the health, development, and long-term employability of young employees is not only good for the employees themselves, but also for the organization. After all, a healthy start lays the foundation for engaged, motivated, and future-ready employees. See which MKB FiT subscription best suits your organization, or compare our subscriptions right away.

Would you like to know how ZekerArbo can support your organization in providing preventive guidance to young employees and strengthening their long-term employability? Please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to work with you to find a solution.

Want to read more about healthy and happy work? Check out our knowlegde hub or our other blog posts, such as “National Happiness Happens Day: Why a Smile at Work Does More Than You Think ” and “International Self-Care Day: Small Choices, Big Impact at Work.”