This week is all about: the Week without Work Stress (November 10–14)

And honestly? It is much needed. Work stress has been the number one occupational disease in the Netherlands for years. According to the RIVM, one in five employees experiences burnout symptoms, and work stress remains the greatest cause of long-term absence.

But what if a big part of that stress is not caused by workload at all, but by miscommunication?

The invisible stress factor: miscommunication

With four (sometimes five) generations working side by side, everyone brings a different idea of what “good work” looks like and how you are supposed to “communicate”. The result: miscommunication is almost guaranteed.

• Younger generations value meaning, autonomy and balance.

• Older generations grew up with loyalty and hard work as the norm.

This difference in work mentality between generations clashes more often than people think. What feels to one as “just pushing through” feels to the other as “crossing a line.” The result? Misunderstanding, frustration, and… of course; stress.

Game as a mirror

During this Week Without Work Stress, we are launching a practical way to reduce stress within teams: the Generation Game. An experiential game where teams literally step into the shoes of another generation.

👉 What happens when a Gen Z'er plays the role of a baby boomer?
👉 Or when a manager suddenly sees how their communication lands with an intern?

The Generation Game makes assumptions visible and conversations lighter.
Because complaining about generational differences helps no one, but talking to each other does wonders.

Less stress, more understanding in the workplace

Communication problems are often a silent cause of work pressure and stress at the workplace. We spend an incredible amount of time on communication through various channels. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index 2025, employees are interrupted on average every 2 minutes by an email, message, or meeting. No wonder teams get stuck with so many stimuli. You can read more about the impact of miscommunication in our blog [Your team talks a lot but actually says nothing. Here’s why]

Teams that understand each other experience less tension, work together more smoothly, and are more productive. With the Generations Game, UNSNOOZED helps teams to:

1. turn frustrations into curiosity;

2. replace assumptions with understanding;

3. and reduce stress through genuine connection.

During the Week of Work Stress, we will be working with organizations that focus on connecting different generations within their teams, including: Library Rotterdam, creative vocational school Nimeto College, and Mediacollege Amsterdam.

The future of work is generation-aware

UNSNOOZED helps organisations move with the changing world of work.
Together, we build a culture where young and old strengthen each other instead of clash. Because the future of work asks for listening, understanding — and the secret ingredient: a touch of gezelligheid.