Burnout ‘rife’ in workplaces: survey

Los Angeles — Nearly 3 out of 5 U.S. adults experience work-related burnout on a monthly basis, while more than 1 out of 3 say it occurs weekly, results of a recent survey show.

Researchers from call forwarding provider TollFreeForwarding.com surveyed 2,000 adults about their experiences with workplace burnout. Results show 56% of the respondents said they feel burned out at work monthly, while 36% are burned out each week.

Other findings:

• 54% of respondents reported that workplace burnout negatively affects their sleep, while 44% said it negatively affects work-life balance.
• 23% have taken a sick day at least every two months because of burnout.
• 55% have pondered leaving their job because of a lack of support for burnout symptoms, which include stress, anxiety, frustration, exhaustion and fatigue.
• 46% of Generation Z workers suffer from weekly burnout, a higher percentage than millennials (44), Generation X (38) and baby boomers (22).

The researchers provided several strategies for employers to help curb burnout, such as creating a culture that supports work-life balance and offering flexible working environments.

“What our research uncovered is that all the symptoms associated with burnout are rife in the modern U.S. office,” the researchers said. “Now that the problems it can cause are being established, businesses have the opportunity to change.”

This past spring, the World Health Organization amplified its definition of burnout in the 11th revision of its International Classification of Diseases. WHO described burnout as an “occupational phenomenon” – not a medical condition – that results from unmanaged workplace stress and features three dimensions:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativity or cynicism related to the work
• Reduced effectiveness on the job