88% of UK workforce have experienced burnout in the past two years

88% of UK employees have experienced at least some level of burnout over the last two years, with one third claiming to suffer from physical and mental exhaustion frequently due to pressures within the workplace. This is according to new research commissioned by LumApps, a leading Employee Experience Platform.    

Eight out of ten respondents revealed that a lack of work/life balance was the largest contributor to burnout. This is closely followed by increased demands from customers (73%); a lack of support and guidance (73%); and a lack of purpose-driven work (69%). The research was conducted amongst 1000 employees within the UK working in both desk and non-desk-based roles.

As a result, many employees have taken matters into their own hands by re-evaluating their careers as well as other aspects of their life, bringing about phenomenon such as ‘the great resignation’; where record levels of workers are quitting their jobs; and ‘quiet quitting’; where employees are just doing the bare minimum required.

This correlation of burnout and employees ready to leave their jobs is the repercussion of staff drowning in work and companies not having the time to fix the situation.

With many businesses scrambling to attract and retain talent,  when it comes to negotiating pay, benefits, and time-off. However, this figure is much larger for employees working in businesses services (90%); technology (89%); and, manufacturing/CPG (75%).

The tables may have turned in this job seekers market but there are solutions businesses can put in place to mitigate feelings of burnout and fatigue and cultivate a better experience for employees.

Chris McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer at LumApps, commented: “With most businesses now operating a remote or hybrid workforce, digital tools are crucial to help recreate the in-office environment, facilitate knowledge sharing and support employee wellbeing. And for those working on the frontlines, the right type of technology can also make a positive impact to overall work-life balance and can make their lives easier when it comes to communicating and collaborating with customers and co-workers.

“These days, employees have more options to switch jobs than ever before — and job hopping doesn’t carry the stigma it once did. For employers who fail to support their workforce, time is running out. Employees won’t stay in their current roles forever — especially if they’re unhappy, disengaged or unfulfilled. If employees don’t get the support they need, they’ll move on to companies that better meet their needs, and soon.”

To learn more about the research, download the full report here.