New research from Robert Half reveals a continued strain on today’s workers. According to a survey of nearly 2,000 professionals in the U.S., 36% report feeling burned out at work and 33% say they are more burned out now than one year ago. They report the top factors contributing to burnout are:
- heavy workloads and long hours (40%);
- lack of support or recognition from their manager (30%); and
- few professional growth opportunities (27%).
Those who report the highest burnout levels are Gen Z (39%) and millennial (40%) professionals, working parents (38%), and professionals at small and midsize businesses (37%).
“With burnout on the rise, managers must take steps to monitor workloads, maintain open communication, and support employee well-being,” says Dawn Fay, operational president at Robert Half.
Burnout isn’t just affecting workers—it’s a top concern for organizations struggling to hire. A separate Robert Half survey of more than 1,600 hiring managers finds that their biggest impact of not being able to staff an open role in a timely manner are:
- employee burnout (42%);
- delayed project timelines (39%);
- decreased productivity of existing staff (37%); and
- higher employee turnover (36%).
“Burnout is not just an employee issue—it’s a critical business challenge,” Fay adds. “During times of heavy workloads or delayed hiring cycles, employers need to address burnout head-on or risk falling behind on critical projects and losing staff.”
Robert Half offers tips for managers to help counter burnout:
- encourage taking days off;
- help prioritize projects and manage timelines;
- hire additional support;
- recognize and appreciate; and
- foster open communication.
