Psychotherapist Explains How Gen Z Employees Are Using ‘Breakup’ and ‘Burnout’ Leaves to Prioritise Mental Health at Work

Gen Z is changing the future of the term mental health in the workplace. They tend to be the most sincere when considering what benefits them the most or taking a break, be it a break up or a burn out. A Gurgaon CEO recently managed to make headlines by granting a request by an employee to have a break up leave.

It was an interesting story in the sense that empathy of this nature is seldom witnessed in Indian work places. However, maybe it is also an indicator of an evolving time-trend-emotional wellbeing, it is no longer regarded as an isolated area of performance, but the core of it.

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“Mental health challenges affect nearly 80% of Indian professionals at some point, yet stigma still stops most from seeking help openly. Compassion is not the opposite of performance - it’s what makes performance sustainable. When leaders acknowledge emotional struggles like heartbreak or loss, they don’t just show kindness; they build trust and psychological safety,” says Namrata Jain, psychotherapist and relationship expert.

Namrata also told HT Lifestyle that workplace empathy and emotional support is capable of enhancing employee wellbeing and performance.

1. Pain causes a distraction in emotion

The studies of the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine indicate that the process of heartbreak makes use of the same brain regions as actual pain - it is not in your head. Attention, creativity and decision-making are struck down when emotional distress is overlooked. According to the India Workplace Wellbeing Report 2025, 85 percent of the workforce report symptoms of stress or burnout to have a direct impact on outputs.

2. Empathy enhances interaction and satisfaction

An ICICI Lombard survey of 2025 established that organisations with a leadership approach based on empathy experienced 30 percentage point higher engagement and 25 lower attrition. It was not a mere approval of a leave that the Gurgaon CEO did, but an emotional loyalty. It is what makes people stay dedicated even when they fail to receive remuneration.

3. Mental health finally gets on the agenda

A survey conducted by Deloitte India showed that the majority of employees are experiencing mental health issues but only 75% of them would consider their leave to have been psychological. This is being transformed by progressive companies such as Infosys and Wipro who are launching wellness programs, counselling and open discussions on the topic of mental wellbeing.

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4. Psychological safety is actual performance driver

Unhealthy work cultures sap people without their knowledge. The most significant productivity killers are micromanagement, lack of recognition and emotional invalidation. Conversely, by listening, validating and supporting, presenteeism decreases and authentic performance increases.

5. Human-centred leadership business case

Empathy is not about indulgence, but intelligence. Resilience, innovation and confidence are fostered when leaders give room to emotions. That is what makes teams not burned out but inspired in high-pressure situations.

“In a country where mental health stigma still lingers, small acts of empathy can spark big change. A 'breakup leave” might sound unusual, but it’s really a message that it’s okay to be human at work. When people feel seen and supported, they naturally bring their best selves forward. And maybe, in today’s fast-paced world, that human connection is the most powerful strategy any organisation can have,” concludes Namrata.

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