More than half (57 per cent) of U.S. workers say they’re currently experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout, according to a new report by Aflac Inc.
The survey, which polled 2,000 employees, found workplace stress is disproportionately affecting both women and younger workers. Indeed, 75 per cent of women reported experiencing burnout at work, compared to 58 per cent of men. Roughly two-thirds of generation Z (67 per cent) and millennials (64 per cent) said they’re facing moderate to high levels of burnout.
Nearly all (89 per cent) employees who reported high levels of burnout have also experienced other mental-health challenges over the past year, including anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping. Notably, the percentage of workers who expressed confidence in how much their employers care about them has declined to 48 per cent, down from 58 per cent in 2021.
Read: Survey finds 39% of women considering quitting job due to stress, burnout
A third (33 per cent) of employees said increased time off is the No. 1 way their employer can address burnout, followed by the option to work from home (27 per cent), self-care programs (17 per cent), mental-health care (10 per cent), employee assistance programs (eight per cent), family support services (three per cent), telehealth visits (one per cent) and wearable technology to help monitor health (one per cent).
“Survey results on mental health and well-being in the workplace are alarming and continue to be challenging, but employers can face these challenges head on and turn them into opportunities,” said Jeri Hawthorne, Aflac’s senior vice-president and chief human resources officer, in a press release. “Offering benefits that include mental-health tools and resources, in addition to work-life balance perks, such as flexible work schedules, can help with employee satisfaction, retention and recruitment.”