4 in 5 workers say they feel burnout, but many don’t admit their struggle to their boss

81% of New Zealand workers say they feel burnt out, with heavy workloads (59%) and an insufficient number of staff (31%) being the top two contributors
24% of workers who say they feel burnout have not expressed their feelings to their manager
76% state their managers are aware of their feelings of burnout and are handling it by encouraging time off (24%), delegating some responsibilities to other team members (19%), and helping to prioritise projects (18%)
10% say their managers are not taking steps to alleviate their feelings of burnout

Auckland, 10 October 2024 – On World Mental Health Day, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds that the overwhelming majority (81%) of New Zealand workers say they feel burnt out at work, but 24% are not upfront with their manager about it.

When asked whether they feel burnt out, defined in the research as a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive workplace stress, four in five workers (81%) say they feel “a little burnt out” (60%), “very burnt out” (16%) or “completely burnt out” (5%).

With 89%, Gen X feels the most burnt out, compared with 86% of Gen Z, 79% of Millennials and 69% of Baby Boomers.

“Burnout is reaching alarming levels in the Kiwi workforce,” says Ronil Singh, Director at Robert Half. “Despite New Zealand being known for boasting healthy work-life balance, the past year has seen a surge in stress, exhaustion and disengagement among employees. A combination of factors, including companies operating with minimal staff, the pandemic's lingering effects, economic instability and pervasive job insecurity have all contributed to this uptick.”

The reasons why workers are burnt out

When asked about what is contributing the most to their feelings of burnout, workers identified their work conditions are playing a larger role than the workplace’s culture or challenges that come with the return to the office:

Heavy workloads 59%

An insufficient number of staff 31%

The commute to the office 29%

A lack of communication and support from my manager 22%

A toxic organisational culture 21%

“The constant pressure to perform, the erosion of work-life balance and fears about job security are leaving many employees feeling overwhelmed and stressed,” Singh says. “Burnout is not a sign of weakness. It's a signal that something needs to change in the workplace. A healthier and more sustainable workplace can be achieved through a joint effort between employers and employees, built on open communication and mutual support.”

How managers are addressing staff burnout

The majority (76%) of affected workers say they have approached their manager to reveal they feel burnt out and have received support to alleviate their symptoms. The most common steps managers have taken are:

Providing encouragement for staff to take time off 24%

Delegating some responsibilities to other team members 19%

Helping to prioritise projects 18%

Providing greater scheduling and workplace flexibility 17%

For 10% of workers, however, their manager has not taken any steps to address burnout despite being made aware. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (24%) of workers have not made their manager aware of their feelings.

“Employees must recognise the signs and communicate their struggles to their managers for burnout to be properly addressed,” Singh says. “Ignoring it can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism and even long-term health problems. Speaking up allows employees to advocate for themselves and work with their managers to find solutions that address their specific needs and challenges.

“At the same time, it is on managers to create a supportive and empathetic work environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Regular check-ins and open communication channels can help reduce stress and promote work-life balance,” concluded Singh.

RobertHalf_NZ_burnout_Oct.pdf

About the research

The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in June 2024 by an independent research company, surveying 501 full-time office workers across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm.  Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Aukland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz.

For more information    

Courtney Fletcher

PR Manager

Courtney.Fletcher@roberthalf.com.au

+61 421 209 304