PHILADELPHIA, PA — A recent survey conducted by Yoh, a talent and outsourcing firm, reveals that job burnout continues to impact a significant portion of the U.S. workforce. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll among 1,201 employed adults, found that 32% of workers experienced burnout at least once in the past year.
Beyond those who directly reported burnout, nearly half (45%) of employees cited experiencing one or more indicators of burnout, such as sacrificing personal time, being overburdened with responsibilities, or feeling unable to take time off.
Key Findings
- Sacrificing Personal Life: 34% reported giving up personal activities, like exercise or hobbies, for their work responsibilities.
- Increased Responsibilities: 31% said they were required to take on more tasks without reducing their existing workload.
- Lack of Time Off: 27% felt they couldn’t take time off even when they wanted to.
- Other notable contributors included working more in-office (19%), balancing caregiving duties with work (19%), excessive meetings (16%), and being unable to consider other job opportunities (15%).
The survey also found that 27% of respondents experienced both job burnout and another burnout indicator, highlighting the complexity and interconnection of these challenges.
Demographic Differences
The study suggests that the experience of burnout and its contributing factors can vary by demographic group. For instance, younger employees (aged 35-44) were more likely to report increased workloads (37%) than older employees (27% among those aged 55-64). Likewise, employees with children under 18 reported feeling overwhelmed by caregiving duties at nearly twice the rate of those without children (25% vs. 14%).
Male employees may be particularly at risk of unnoticed burnout, with half reporting indirect indicators despite not identifying outright burnout. A similar pattern emerged among employees aged 18-44, compared to their older counterparts. Conversely, older workers (especially those aged 55-64) were the most likely to report no signs of burnout or related issues (31%).
Implications for Employers
The findings underscore the need for employers to prioritize workplace wellness and address the root causes of burnout. Yoh President Emmett McGrath noted the risks of ignoring these issues, ranging from reduced productivity to higher turnover rates.
“To protect against employee dissatisfaction and turnover, it’s critical for leaders to implement policies that focus on work-life balance and workplace wellbeing,” McGrath said. He added that businesses can set themselves apart in recruiting by promoting flexible schedules, better time-off policies, remote work options, and other resources designed to support employees’ wellbeing.
Addressing Burnout
With nearly one in three employees experiencing burnout and a significant portion dealing with related stressors, employers face mounting pressure to act. By proactively addressing these challenges, organizations can foster a healthier, more productive workforce while improving long-term outcomes for their teams and businesses alike.
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