Young people are lying about work to their families at the holidays

A recent survey found that many young people in the US are dishonest with their family members about their professional lives, particularly during holiday gatherings. The survey, which included 2,000 young adults aged 21 to 35, discovered that 58% of respondents have lied about their jobs, either by downplaying or exaggerating their success. A significant gender divide was observed, with men being more likely to inflate their success and women more likely to downplay their accomplishments. The survey also revealed that 33% of young adults have avoided family events to avoid conversations about their jobs or career progress. The stress of discussing work with family members increases with the infrequency of family gatherings, with 44% of those who see their relatives only once a year reporting anxiety about work conversations. According to Roman Peskin, CEO of Elvtr, sibling rivalry and the desire for family approval are major factors contributing to the dishonesty. Nearly half of the respondents have considered or made career changes due to family expectations, and 22% would sacrifice their dream job for family approval. The survey also found that younger workers experience more anxiety about discussing their jobs with family members, with 42% of those in their 20s reporting stress. As people get older, they seem to care less about their family's opinion of their job, with only 29% of those in their 30s reporting stress. Overall, the survey highlights the pressure and stress that many young people face when discussing their professional lives with family members during the holidays.