Nearly Half of New York Workers Have Nearly Cried at Work

Have you ever had one of those days at work where you felt like you might cry but did everything possible to hide it? Researchers say that experience has become so common that it now has a name: "cry masking." This describes workers who are feeling overwhelmed but go out of their way to hide their emotions from coworkers.

Many Workers Are Struggling in Silence

A survey of 600 American workers found that nearly half of employees, 48.83%, said they have either cried at work or come close to crying during the past six months. About one in four workers said they actually cried because of work.

Younger Workers Report the Most Stress

The study found that younger workers are having the hardest time. Nearly four in ten Gen Z employees said they have cried at work in the past six months. Almost two-thirds said they either cried or felt close to crying. Researchers believe the economy, burnout, job performance, and artificial intelligence may be adding to the pressure.

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Women and Men Handle Stress Differently

The survey also found differences between men and women. Women were more likely to say they had cried at work or felt close to tears. Men who cried at work were more likely to keep it completely hidden from their coworkers. That means many employees may be dealing with stress that nobody around them knows about.

Why This Matters for New York Workers

Experts say the findings are a reminder that emotional health is just as important as physical health. They encourage employers to create workplaces where employees feel comfortable talking about stress and asking for help when they need it.

You're Probably Not Alone

If you've ever felt overwhelmed at work, you're far from alone. Nearly half of American workers say they've been there. The difference is that most people are doing their best to hide it.