From passive aggressive emails to Zoom fatigue, Gen Z workers are facing a barrage of micro stresses throughout their workday.

New research by EXTRA® reveals that 94% of Gen Z experience small but frequent workplace irritations, with nearly half (49%) encountering them daily. And they may sound relatable.

Everyday disruptions, like patchy WiFi and last-minute meetings to chaotic group chats are taking their toll. One in ten (12%) admit they’ve been tempted to throw their laptop out the window, and 8% say they’re just one Slack message away from a meltdown.
But there is good news. The research also shows that one in ten (10%) say a chat with a local shopkeeper helps them to hit the reset button, while 69% think this kind of moment could genuinely lift their mood. [60% stat removed]

Inspired by these insights, EXTRA® is launching ‘Boss Breaks’, a corner shop takeover turning local shops into mood lifting sanctuaries for young professionals to take a moment to pause and reset during the day. Shopkeepers, the unsung heroes of local community in London’s Shoreditch, Edinburgh, and Pontefract have been trained to listen to Gen Z’s workday niggles, put an end to their overthinking and help them get on with bossing their day.

The top 10 micro-stresses grinding the gears of young professionals each day:
WiFi failing (24%)
Last-minute tasks that could wait (23%)
Meetings that should’ve been an email (21%)
Someone hovering while they work (20%)
Last-minute “quick” meeting invites (19%)
Receiving a ‘Karen’ email (18%)
Camera-on pressure during video calls (13%)
Forgetting co-worker names (12%)
Small talk on video meetings (11%)
Unhinged group chats (10%)
Hosting the ‘Boss Breaks’ corner shop takeovers are Diptesh Patel (London), Bobby Singh (Pontefract), and Sophie Williams (Edinburgh). The trio have been trained by life coach Michelle Elman to help visitors take a moment to pause and reset before returning to work feeling like a boss.

Diptesh Patel of Diptesh Confectionery in London says: “Young people come into the shop all the time just needing a moment, to talk, to vent, or just feel heard. We’ve built real trust with them over the years. The ‘Boss Breaks’ corner shop takeover captures that everyday connection perfectly, it’s exactly what we see happening here.”

“Today’s young professionals are constantly navigating low-level tensions at work, the kind that build up but rarely get addressed,” said Hannah Lee, UK Brand Director, EXTRA®. “With ‘Boss Breaks’, we’re giving them a space to pause, reset, take a breath, and get back into their day with a clearer head.”

Motivational coach Michelle Elman, shares her top tips for tackling micro-stress at work:
Track your triggers – jot down what is bothering you, so that it does not consume your head
Lean on your support network – whether it is a friend, a loved one or shopkeeper, don’t bottle it up if you are feeling overwhelmed
Set clear boundaries – protect your downtime by logging off emails or turning off your phone when work ends
Face your inner critic – take a moment to list your wins and remind yourself what makes you great!

Whether escaping the dreaded group chat spiral, or dodging patchy WiFi, young professionals can visit participating Boss Breaks corner shops takeovers in London, Pontefract and Edinburgh as well as regional partner stores nationwide, from 12th September until 25th September 2025 – visitors will also receive a free pack of EXTRA® gum to takeaway and enjoy.

London (Shoreditch) – Diptesh Confectionery, 89 Leonard St, London, EC2A 4QS, from Friday 12th September to Thursday 18th September
Pontefract – BB Superstore & Post Office, 80 Love Lane Pontefract, Pontefract, WF8 4BB, from Friday 12th September to Thursday 18th September
Edinburgh – Broadway Convenience Store, 10 Oxgangs Broadway, Edinburgh, EH13 9LQ, from Friday 19th September to Thursday 25th September