A surge in demand for burnout support reflects growing employee stress.
- Recent data shows a 221% spike in searches for ‘signs of burnout’.
- Excessive stress now surpasses financial concerns in employee wellbeing.
- Half of UK employees report significant work-related stress.
- Strategic interventions are urged to combat this rising issue.
A surge in the need for burnout support has spotlighted escalating employee stress levels, prompting HR and business leaders to take urgent action. Google search data reveals a dramatic 221% increase in searches for ‘signs of burnout’ over the past three months, indicating a significant escalation in workplace stress concerns.
This phenomenon represents the culmination of a year marked by heightened burnout risk among employees. Searches for ‘signs of burnout’ have risen by 31% over the past twelve months compared to the previous year. Experts warn that this issue is more likely to worsen as winter approaches, a season known for increased mental health challenges among employees.
Work-related stress has now overtaken financial concerns as the primary health and wellbeing issue, affecting most generations of staff. A study involving over 500 UK companies found that nearly half of employees (47%) experienced excessive stress at work during the past year. Alarmingly, one in eight considered leaving their jobs due to this stress, with one in ten actually resigning.
Excessive stress affects employees in various ways, notably causing sleep difficulties (reported by 41%), physical health problems (30%), and social withdrawal (26%). Richard Holmes, Director of Wellbeing at Westfield Health, describes burnout as an experience of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, often driven by overwhelming stress at work exacerbated by tight budgets and small teams.
Preventative measures such as policies to turn off email servers after hours and mental health first aid training for managers can help mitigate burnout. Such strategies can empower managers to identify stress indicators and implement effective interventions.
However, a survey indicates that one in eight employees feels unsupported by their workplace, with 26% citing unmanageable workloads as a major stress contributor. Financial pressures and inadequate support from management also significantly impact employee stress levels, as highlighted by 24% and 18% of respondents, respectively.
Claire Brown, a life and career coach, suggests that employers engage employees in task organisation and stress management strategy development. Encouraging health and wellbeing over productivity, promoting regular breaks, and facilitating communication are crucial strategies. Flexible work practices can provide further relief from undue stress.
As stress becomes increasingly prevalent, Richard Holmes emphasizes the importance of practical support in helping teams manage workloads effectively. Open communication between employers and employees is essential in creating a resilient workforce that can navigate these challenges.
Burnout prevention requires proactive strategies to address stress and support employee wellbeing effectively.
