- Survey highlights top factors contributing to workplace fatigue and how employers can best support overworked teams
New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm 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%)
- Few professional growth opportunities (27%)
Those who report the highest burnout levels are:
- Gen Z (39%) and Millennial (40%) professionals
- Working parents (38%)
- 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,” said Dawn Fay, operational president at Robert Half.
Countering Burnout
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 found 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%)
- Higher employee turnover (36%)
Fay added: “Burnout is not just an employee issue—it’s a critical business challenge. 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 time off: Support your team’s well-being by promoting regular time off and mental health days to recharge.
- Help prioritize projects and manage timelines: Assist your team in prioritizing tasks and managing timelines effectively to ensure manageable workloads.
- Hire additional support: Consider hiring contract professionals to ease workloads, allowing your team to focus on key responsibilities.
- Recognize and appreciate: Acknowledge and celebrate your team’s hard work and accomplishments to boost morale and reinforce a positive work environment.
- Foster open communication: Create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges and needs.
Explore HRtech News for the latest Tech Trends in Human Resources Technology
