Is burnout rising among Canadian professionals?

Canadian professionals feel more burnt out in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by heavy workloads and understaffed teams, according to a survey by recruitment and business consulting firm Robert Half.  

This year, 42 percent of workers report feeling burnt out, an increase from 33 percent last year, as reported by the Financial Post.   

Heavy workloads due to understaffed teams top the list of burnout contributors, cited by 52 percent of respondents. Lack of communication and managerial support were also significant factors, mentioned by 42 percent, while 39 percent reported a lack of tools or resources needed to perform properly.  

“With many people starting to plan their summer vacations, now may be the ideal time to take [time] off work,” the report stated. 

The survey found millennials experiencing the highest levels of burnout at 55 percent, followed by Gen Z at 51 percent, compared to Gen X at 32 percent and baby boomers at 24 percent.  

The online survey included responses from more than 765 workers aged 18 and older across various industries and companies with 20 or more employees.   

Meanwhile, another poll by Robert Half revealed that half of Canadian professionals have started or plan to start looking for a new job in the second half of 2024. This report, released on June 26, shows a rise in worker confidence in the job market, returning to levels not seen since early 2023.  

In contrast, 41 percent of workers reported plans to look for a new job during the same period last year.   

“As the economic outlook has evolved, professionals’ optimism in the job market has evolved too,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director of Robert Half Canada.  

“Workers are feeling confident in their abilities and in the opportunities available to them, especially for those with in-demand skills and experiences.”   

The survey indicated that a higher salary is the main factor driving workers to seek new jobs, cited by 60 percent of respondents. Other reasons include better benefits and perks (50 percent), more flexibility (32 percent), and a higher-level title (31 percent).  

Those not looking for new opportunities cited liking their team and company culture, and not wanting to lose their current level of flexibility as key reasons for staying.   

The survey, conducted in April, included responses from 600 workers and more than 200 hiring managers at companies with 20 or more employees in Canada.