Survey: 33% of Workers Are More Burned Out Than a Year Ago

Wednesday, 21 October 2020 12:00.PM

- Heavier Workloads Cited as Top Reason for Increased Fatigue, According to Robert Half Survey. -

Drowning in work and feeling drained? Many professionals are, new research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows. One-third of workers surveyed (33 per cent) said they are more burned out on the job today compared to a year ago. Of those respondents, 40 per cent pointed to having a fuller plate at work as the top reason for rising levels of fatigue. Another 49 per cent of professionals noted they are as burned out now as they were 12 months ago, while only 18 per cent reported a drop in burnout.

Additional Findings:

- Women (36 per cent) were more likely than men (31 per cent) to cite a rise in burnout.
- Nearly an equal percentage of respondents with children in their household (34 per cent) and those without (33 per cent) said they are more worn out from work today versus 12 months ago.
- More employees ages 25 to 40 (37 per cent) than those ages 41 to 54 (36 per cent) and 55 and older (28 per cent) said they are experiencing a higher degree of burnout.

"Organizations continue to weather the financial impact of the pandemic and in some cases are doing so with leaner teams in place," said David King, Canadian senior district president of Robert Half. "This has resulted in an increased workload for employees with many still working from home and balancing important job priorities with personal and family demands. With workers indicating they are experiencing rising levels of fatigue, managers need to work with their teams to address job burnout head on. This means helping them to not only prioritize their workloads – but also their wellbeing."

Concerns Over Employee Burnout

In a separate survey, 82 per cent of senior managers revealed they are worried about staff retention. Of those respondents, 47 per cent said the reason for their concern is that employees are managing heavy workloads and on the brink of burnout. "In today's demanding work environment, managers need to find ways to support their employees and equip them with the tools they need to alleviate stress and prevent burnout", added King. "This includes encouraging teams to disengage from work outside of regular working hours, urging them to take time off to relax and recharge and ensuring they take advantage of any wellness offerings they have access to."

Robert Half offers three tips for helping managers prevent burnout among staff:

1. Prioritize ruthlessly. Check in regularly with team members to discuss current projects and obstacles. Help them focus on critical business tasks, and bring in temporary professionals to assist, if possible.
2. Encourage time off. Busy employees may be reluctant to take a break. Support — and model — work-life balance by reminding employees to use their vacation days and managing your own time effectively.
3. Share helpful resources. Promote company-provided wellness offerings, and pass along information about free classes and programs that support a healthier lifestyle.