Missing Out and Burning Out: Exploring the moderating role of mindfulness on the relationship between workplace FOMO and burnout among Gen Z employees

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between workplace Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and burnout, and whether mindfulness moderates this relationship among Generation Z (Gen Z) employees in the Philippines. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 200 Gen Z employees, and statistical analyses were conducted to examine the moderating effects of four mindfulness dimensions—Describing, Nonreactive, Nonjudging, and Awareness—on the relationship between workplace FOMO and two dimensions of burnout: disengagement and exhaustion. Results showed that workplace FOMO was moderately experienced by participants and was associated with varying levels of burnout. Notably, mindfulness traits, particularly Describing and Awareness, significantly moderated the relationship between workplace FOMO and burnout-disengagement, suggesting that employees with stronger mindfulness capacities were less likely to become psychologically detached from their work despite experiencing FOMO. However, moderation effects on burnout-exhaustion were weaker and less consistent. These findings underscore the protective role of mindfulness in workplace well-being and support the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing emotional awareness and present-moment focus, offering practical insights for promoting mental well-being among Gen Z professionals.