Employee burnout is on the rise, and it’s reaching record heights with one global survey finding around 42% of workers experienced burnout in 2023—the highest total since the start of the pandemic. While some employers are attempting to solve the problem with Band-Aid fixes like paid time off (PTO), these solutions don’t always get to the root of the issue.
Of course, few people want to be working long hours in stressful environments—the key ingredients for burnout. But that doesn’t explain why 46% of employees take less vacation time than they’re allowed, according to Pew Research Center. So what’s the reason employees are overworked, and how can employers put an end to it?
While hard work is often an admirable trait in American culture, there’s a line between productivity and overworking employees. And it doesn’t take a hard boss or a toxic work culture for employees to feel the pressure. Going back to the Pew survey, employees who refused to take all of their PTO did so most often either because they feared falling behind or they didn’t want a team member to have to cover for them.
In some instances, employees might also be modeling behavior from managers and executives. While these leaders might not encourage long working hours themselves, they can inadvertently lead by example if they’re consistently working overtime. Additionally, assigning large workloads that exceed an individual’s capacity can be a huge workplace stress trigger. If this happens continually over time, it can lead to chronic stress and ultimately employee burnout.
Sometimes, a worker might push themselves past the breaking point without meaning to. This is especially common when employees adopt a hustle culture or “grindset,” which prioritizes productivity over one’s health and personal life. This toxic work addiction can lead to a range of consequences, from performance issues and disengagement to physical and mental health problems.