One in eight employees have experienced frequent burnout in the past year, research by Vitality has discovered.
And two in five (40%) of those said that their job is a primary source of stress in their life, according to Vitality’s Britain’s Healthiest Workplace research, which questioned 1,000 employees.
Furthermore, 67% of employees have experienced some form of burnout in the past 12 months.
Burnout ranges from feeling overwhelmed by excessive workloads to emotional exhaustion, disengagement and reduced motivation.
Despite 65% of respondents describing their mental health as good, many employees said they struggle to maintain their health alongside work demands.
Only 58% said they have enough time to look after their mental health. The level was 61% for physical health.
Root of the problem
Stress and burnout impact productivity in the workplace through reduced performance, disengagement and lost working time.
Around a quarter of employees struggle at work due to their mental health while a third struggle due to stress, according to Vitality.
The research found ways to support such people with SME employees less likely to have access to the formal wellbeing support typically available in larger organisations.
Vitality called on employers to not only focus on support for those with stress or burnout but to address the causes of poor health and wellbeing.
Pressure point
The findings suggested that a personalised approach has the potential to make a difference.
Vitality Health director of corporate Gary Impett said that the findings reinforce that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee wellbeing.
“Burnout rarely has a single cause and rarely presents in the same way for every employee,” he added.
“The challenge for employers is understanding the pressures their people face and ensuring support is relevant to their individual needs.
“Organisations that listen to those needs have an opportunity not only to improve wellbeing outcomes, but also engagement, productivity and retention.”
