Nearly Three Million Australians May Consider Leaving Jobs Due to Burnout

An estimated three million Australians are likely contemplating leaving their jobs in the next year, with burnout identified as a major contributing factor to this potential workforce shift.

Burnout, defined by Beyond Blue as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive demands, is impacting a significant portion of the Australian workforce. Associate Professor Ross Iles, chief research officer at Superfriend, noted that burnout rates have remained consistently high over the past decade, and are worsening in sectors like retail, health, and education. “When we focus in on particular industries like retail, health, and education, that’s actually becoming a much more important factor. In fact, it’s getting worse,” Iles told SBS News. This trend could exacerbate existing skills shortages across key industries.

Symptoms of burnout include feelings of isolation, irritation, decreased job satisfaction, headaches, body pain, disrupted sleep, and a lack of energy. Research commissioned by Allianz Australia revealed that approximately 80% of Australian workers believe their workplaces don’t adequately promote healthy boundaries, citing excessive workloads, unnecessary meetings, and unrealistic deadlines as key drivers. Mark Pittman, executive general manager of personal injury at Allianz Australia, encouraged Australians to prioritize recovery activities like sleep and exercise, stating, “We encourage Australians to take a proper break, set boundaries and prioritise recovery activities such as sleep and exercise, and making these small changes can really make a difference in helping to prevent burnout.” You can find more information about managing workplace stress here.

Experts emphasize the importance of open communication and supportive leadership in addressing burnout. Iles highlighted that less than half of Australian workers feel comfortable discussing mental health with their managers, and fostering a culture of connection within the workplace is crucial. This is particularly important as a lack of social connection has been linked to increased rates of mental health issues.

Officials are urging employers to invest in manager training, reduce unnecessary workloads, and offer recurring mental health days to support employee wellbeing.