Burnout is at a 10-year high for U.S. workers

The Hill

3 days ago

If you feel as though you've been hearing your colleagues, professional acquaintances, family or friends talk about burnout more than usual, you're not imagining it.
According to a recent report by Glassdoor, burnout among U.S. professionals has escalated to unprecedented highs, with burnout mentions in employee reviews increasing 32 percent year-on-year as of Q1 2025.
In fact, mentions of burnout have increased by 50 percent since Q4 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic began and irrevocably changed the world of work as we knew it. This marks the highest rate since data collection began in 2016.
While the term 'burnout' has become an all-encompassing phrase for everything from stress to lack of motivation, the World Health Organization describes burnout as a 'syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.'
The WHO characterizes burnout via 'three dimensions'. These include feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy.
It stressed that 'burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.'
However, it's hardly surprising that employees who are experiencing burnout are seeing the repercussions of its effects in other areas of their lives.
The Glassdoor report also identified that burnout can manifest as decreased morale and diminished perceptions of career opportunities (down 21 percent), diversity and inclusion (down 17 percent), work-life balance (down 34 percent), and compensation and benefits (down 15 percent).
Additionally, the study found that employees who reference burnout tend to rate their employers significantly lower, averaging 2.68 out of 5, compared to a 3.61 average among those who don't mention burnout.
Glassdoor's Lead Economist, Daniel Zhao, describes burnout as a 'slow-burn problem' that can erode the overall employee experience, even among those who are otherwise content with their workplace.
'As businesses trim budgets and headcounts, employees and managers alike are being asked to do more with less,' said Zhao. 'That's a recipe for burnout as workers are stretched increasingly thin without an end in sight.'
He added: 'Employees who rate their employer 5 stars out of 5 are the least likely to apply to new jobs, but if they mention burnout in their reviews, their turnover intentions increase by 58 percent. Similarly, for an employee who rates their employer 4 stars, their turnover intentions rise 66 percent.'
And it's not just employees that are feeling the heat. Burnout imposed a significant financial burden on employers too. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that burnout costs employers between $4,000 and $21,000 per employee annually. For a company with 1,000 employees, this translates to an estimated $5.04 million in annual costs.
While restructuring in the name of efficiency is one way to trim headcount, a negative work environment can also have a direct impact on talent retention.
In fact, a survey by Isolved found that nearly 80 percent of employees have experienced burnout in the last year, resulting in lower engagement, reduced productising and an overwhelming feeling of restlessness that prompted 72 percent of existing employees to consider changing jobs within the next year.
So how can employers address burnout and create meaningful solutions for their employees? While some companies have implemented stress-reduction programs and are giving staff access to mental health resources, focusing on individual responsibility doesn't work in the long term.
Instead, implementing organizational changes that promote work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, four-day workweeks, childcare subsidies, and support for family care are what workers really crave.
So what can you do if you find yourself burnt out and wondering what to do, or where to go next? Seeking out a company culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing is paramount in mitigating burnout and its associated costs and if you're navigating a job hunt, The Hill's Job Board is the perfect place to focus your search.Updated daily with a range of roles in policy, communications, and related fields, it's an extremely valuable resource. Bookmark the link below, and visit regularly to stay up to date.
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