WX trends: Burnout – who’s impacted and what to do about it
Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.
This week in WX trends, we learn what burnout looks like on the job. Next, the impact burnout has on today’s workforce. Finally, 3 ways to reduce the risk of burnout.
What you should know about worker burnout
The modern workplace is a hybrid space where boundaries are fuzzy and burnout is impacting many workers, according to an article in The Washington Post.
The article cites a survey by the Pew Research Center which found that 19% of workers say their jobs are overwhelming all or most of the time.
All too often, the digital tools meant to connect us leave us feeling isolated and overwhelmed, contributing to a growing sense of exhaustion.
“Burnout is becoming more and more prevalent so it’s important to get to the root of the problem for staff who are impacted,” says Holly Grogan, Chief Experience Officer at Appspace.
“Effective employee communication solutions can play a crucial role in proactively identifying signs of burnout, facilitating open dialogue, and fostering a supportive work environment.”
Burnout causing workers to look for greener pastures
Workers are hitting a breaking point with burnout, feeling overwhelmed by increased expectations and heavier workloads due to layoffs, an article in Fortune reports. Many are thinking about quitting, with 20% of U.S. workers considering it daily, according to a MyPerfectResume report. About 90% of workers have even applied to new jobs in the past handful of months.
Keith Spencer, a MyPerfectResume career expert, highlights that burnout leads to employees seeking new jobs or even changing careers. The report also shows the severe impact on well-being: 88% of workers feel burned out, 32% suffer from anxiety and stress, 30% have persistent headaches, and 23% experience sleep issues.
Burnout doesn’t just affect individuals but also harms workplace culture, the article explains. 87% of workers have had outbursts at work in the last six months, causing tension and reducing collaboration.
Spencer advises employees to seek mental health support and urges employers to listen to their workforce and reduce stress. Simple solutions like better pay, role clarity, flexible schedules, and fewer responsibilities can help mitigate burnout and improve job satisfaction, according to the article.
3 policies that combat burnout at work
With nearly 7 out of 10 employees feeling its effect in 2023, burnout is hitting workers hard, according to a Fast Company article.
This hasn’t improved, as a 2024 Mercer study shows 82% still at risk. However, most employees believe flexibility can help reduce burnout. Deloitte’s survey supports this, with 94% of employees saying flexibility would reduce stress, improve work-life balance, and boost job satisfaction and productivity.
To combat burnout, companies should consider three policies:
Say yes to remote work: Employees value working from home, with major companies noting increased productivity and reduced turnover.
Let staff work on their own schedule: Flexible schedules can enhance efficiency and work-life balance, allowing employees to manage personal responsibilities.
Four-day workweek, anyone?: Trials show productivity can remain stable or increase, with benefits like lower costs and higher employee retention.
Implementing these strategies can improve employees’ well-being and organizational success, the article concludes.
