While recent data shows a steadily improving U.S. labor market, some employed Americans are concerned their jobs are negatively impacting their wellbeing. According to a new survey from Yoh, a leading international talent and outsourcing company owned by Day & Zimmermann, nearly one in three (32%) employed Americans experienced job burnout at least once in the past year. The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Yoh from October 22-24, 2024, among 1,201 adults ages 18 or older who are employed full or part time.
However, while only 32% of employed Americans admitted to experiencing burnout, nearly half (45%) said they experienced one or more other listed contributors to job burnout at least once over the past year, despite not saying they experienced job burnout overtly.
- More than one-third (34%) said they sacrificed their personal life (e.g., exercise, hobbies, taking care of their home) for the sake of their professional responsibilities.
- Nearly one-third (31%) said they have been required to take on added responsibilities without decreasing their existing workload.
- More than a quarter (27%) said they felt as if they could not take time off from work despite wanting to.
- Nearly one-fifth (19%) said they have had to work more days in their company’s office instead of working from home.
- Additionally, 19% said they felt overwhelmed because they had to care for a loved one at home on top of their workload.
- Approximately 16% said they felt overburdened by the number of meetings they had to attend.
- Lastly, 15% said they have been unable to consider other job opportunities because of their workload.
More than a quarter of employed Americans (27%) indicated experiencing job burnout and at least one other listed contributor to burnout at least once over the past year, while only 22% reported not experiencing burnout nor any other listed contributors to burnout.
“Our latest survey underscores the invisible threat job burnout poses to all companies and their employees. If left unaddressed, companies risk compromising their employees’ productivity and satisfaction, not to mention their own long-term success. To protect against employee apathy and unwanted turnover, it’s critical for leaders to pursue policies that prioritize workplace wellness,” says Emmett McGrath, president of Yoh. “For those looking to hire, understanding the common pain points and stressors burdening workers can provide a leg up on the competition for talent. By proactively and explicitly addressing issues such as work-life balance, time-off benefits, work-from-home policies and other support resources throughout the hiring process, organizations can position themselves as sensitive to the needs of employees and committed to their wellbeing.”
The survey results suggest certain contributors to burnout differ along demographic lines. Younger employees were more likely to report having to take on more responsibilities without decreasing their existing workload (37% of those aged 35 to 44 vs. 27% of those aged 55 to 64). The same is true of white employees (34%, compared to 25% of Black employees).
Those who were more likely to report feeling overburdened by the number of meetings they were required to attend include employed Americans who:
- are younger (22% of those aged 35 to 44 vs. 11% of those aged 55 to 64);
- hold a college degree (22% of college graduates vs. 11% of those who completed high school or less and12% of those who completed some college); and
- have children in their household (20% of those with children in household, 12% of those without children in household).
Employees who are parents of a child under age 18 were nearly twice as likely as those who are not to report feeling overwhelmed because of needing to care for a loved one at home on top of their workload (25% vs. 14%, respectively).
Additional survey findings include the following.
- Older respondents were more likely to not report experiencing job burnout nor any listed contributor to burnout (25% of those aged 45 to 54 and 31% of those aged 55 to 64 vs. 15% of those aged 18 to 44).
- Male and younger employees may be particularly susceptible to job burnout without realizing it. Half of male employees (50%) did not report experiencing burnout yet reported experiencing at least one other listed contributor to burnout, compared to 39% of female employees. Likewise, half of employees aged 18 to 44 (50%) reported similar experiences, compared to 43% of employees aged 45 to 54 and 39% of those aged 55 to 64.
- Female employees were more likely than men to say they have experienced job burnout in the past year (36% vs. 29%)
