More than half of UK professionals report workplace burnout

Britain recorded the fourth-highest rate among nine countries surveyed, with heavier workloads, low morale and stalled careers blamed for growing pressure at work

More than half of UK professionals say they are suffering from workplace burnout, with understaffing and heavier workloads among the biggest causes, according to worrying new research.

An international survey found that 55 per cent of UK professionals said workloads and workplace pressures had become difficult to manage, compared with 48 per cent across the nine countries surveyed.

Britain recorded the fourth-highest level behind Canada on 62 per cent and the U.S and Brazil, both on 59 per cent.

The Netherlands recorded 45 per cent, followed by Germany on 43 per cent, Belgium on 42 per cent, Switzerland on 38 per cent and France on 32 per cent.

Asked what was driving their burnout, 54 per cent cited heavier workloads caused by understaffing.

A further 39 per cent cited lower team morale following restructuring or workforce reductions, with the same proportion saying they felt stuck in their careers.

The study was carried out by Robert Half, which surveyed 1,000 people in the UK, Germany, France and Belgium, 500 in both the Netherlands and Switzerland, 1,000 in Brazil, 1,005 in Canada and more than 1,330 in the U.S.

Respondents rated their level of workplace burnout from one to 10, with those selecting six to 10 classified as reporting burnout for the purposes of the research.

The firm said employers should regularly assess whether workforce capacity matched business demands, help employees prioritise workloads and maintain conversations about workload, wellbeing and career development.

It also recommended ensuring managers are equipped to identify and address signs of burnout, and providing extra support during periods of organisational change.

Matt Weston, from Robert Half, said: “Burnout is clearly no longer an issue affecting a small group of employees.

“When more than half of professionals say they’re experiencing it, employers recognise it as a workforce issue with implications for productivity, retention and long-term business performance.

“Employers need to recognise that addressing burnout isn’t simply about offering support when people reach a crisis point, but taking a proactive approach.

“Creating environments where workloads are manageable, career development remains visible, and employees feel equipped to perform at their best over the long term requires regularly assessing resources, expectations and culture, and adjusting when needed.”

READ MORE: The hidden workplace cost of microaggressions against Black women. Workplace microaggressions can force Black women to weigh the professional cost of speaking up or staying silent, giving employers practical as well as moral reason to address them, argues Dawn-Maria France. 

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_{Main image: Workplace burnout is being reported by more than half of UK professionals, with understaffing, heavier workloads and low morale among the pressures cited in new research. Credit: Kaboompics.com/Pexels.}