Even flexible schedules may not be enough to prevent employee burnout, according to new research from talent and business consulting firm Robert Half.
In a survey of more than 2,400 professionals in the U.S., 41% of respondents said they are more burned out now than they were a year ago. These results are very much in line with data from a similar 2021 poll, suggesting that mental health and well-being issues among employees persist even as many companies have moved to hybrid schedules and more flexible work arrangements. More than three-quarters of professionals (78%) said they have the ability to set their own schedule, but among those respondents, 70% are working more hours than they were before the pandemic.
The threat of burnout cuts across multiple demographic categories, with Gen Z workers, women and veteran employees (2-9 years of experience) all reporting at or above the broader 40% range. At the same time, 35% of workers also report being uneasy about expressing feelings of burnout with their manager.
“It’s concerning that many professionals continue to feel increased burnout, even as companies are hiring to help manage workloads and business demands,” says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. “Spotting signs of burnout can be harder when employees are working remotely, so it’s especially important for managers to establish regular check-ins, set expectations and encourage staff to speak up if they’re feeling overwhelmed.”
