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A burnout epidemic is hitting offices across the world, and despite increased awareness about the issue, a majority of employers aren’t establishing a work culture that prioritizes employee well-being, according to a new survey.
More than eight out of 10 employees are at risk of burnout this year, according to the 2024 Global Talent Trends report published by Mercer, an HR consulting firm. About 43% of that group cited financial strain as a contributing factor, while 40% cited exhaustion, and 37% said they were struggling with an excessive workload.
“We are heading in the wrong direction, especially in the U.S.,” says Kate Bravery, knowledge and insights global leader for Mercer. “What we’re doing today is not having a material impact on physical or mental health. And that’s really worrying.”
But there seems to be a disconnect between the detrimental effects of burnout—like lower productivity and engagement—and how much bosses view it as an issue affecting their companies. Less than half of employers design work with well-being in mind, according to the survey, and less than a third of employers believe that failing to invest in reducing employee burnout will expose them to considerable risk this year.
“Everybody has been looking at mental health, and physical health, and well-being. It’s been such a focus,” says Bravery. “And I think the results are saying is we are not moving the needle on that.”
Emma Burleigh
[email protected]
@EmmaBurleigh1
Around the Table
A round-up of the most important HR headlines.
Laid-off tech workers are leaning on support groups, therapy, and LinkedIn for comfort as they navigate finding a job within an industry they once thought to be stable. NBC News
Young marketing graduates are having a tough time in the job market—a majority of them are still working high-school-level jobs five years after finishing school. Bloomberg
There's been a standoff over office buildings, but that will probably change this year as investors try to pick up distressed real estate at low prices. Axios
Watercooler
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Hard pill to swallow. In a talk at Stanford’s business school, Nvidia’s CEO said resilience matters in success and believes the expectations of elite students may be too high. —Orianna Rosa Royle
One step behind. A majority of executives believe their workforce can’t keep pace with integrating evolving technology. —Trey Williams
Secret sauce. Delta gave its employees $1.4 billion in bonus checks this year—here’s what the CEO says about being a great boss. —Sunny Nagpaul
Bon voyage, RTO. Virgin Voyages is offering shorter four-week cruises aimed at remote workers, with ample coffee and Wi-Fi benefits. —Chris Morris
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