Leaders are also struggling to see the warning signs
Workers in Canada are suffering from burnout – with 38% saying that they’ve been suffering from it over the last 12 months, a new study from LHH and The Adecco Group has revealed. What’s more, younger workers are experiencing this stress the most. According to the study "Resetting Normal: Defining a New Era of Work," 38% of workers said they’re burned out. Among them, 32% said their wellness has declined as a result. The burnout is has been reported more from Generation Z workers, with 45% admitting they’re suffering from it, and Millennials with 42%.
In particular, 45% of Canadian respondents said their mental wellbeing suffered over the past 12 months, while 37% said even their physical wellbeing had been affected.
This comes as 34% of them said their workload had become worse over the past 12 months, more than half of the 15% who said theirs had improved. On a much better note, however, about 45% of Canadians reported improved work-life balance, and 46% said they are happier on the job after major changes in in work.
Read more: 9 tell-tale signs of employee burnout
Despite this, the problem of burnout stretches not just to employees, but also to how managers recognise and deal with the mounting pressures. The research found that 20% of Canadian managers had trouble identifying overworked or burned out staff, while another 20% said they find it hard to know if staff are struggling.
The problem goes even further, however, as 53% of the surveyed managers worldwide said they find it difficult to know if staff is struggling with mental health concerns, while 51% said they have trouble spotting the warning signs of employee burnout. Jim Mitchell, LHH Canada president, stressed that employees' work-life balance, workload, and wellbeing need to be addressed through respective initiatives.
"If the significant disconnect between employee needs is not bridged through robust talent strategies, the implications will be felt all across Canada’s labour force, mirroring what we see in neighbouring geographies," he said.
