Source: westcentralonline.com
A new national survey shows workplace burnout is on the rise in Canada, with nearly 39 per cent of employees reporting they feel burnt out, up from previous years.
The study, commissioned by Mental Health Research Canada in partnership with Workplace Strategies for Mental Health and conducted by Pollara, highlights the significant financial impact of burnout. For a company with 500 employees, productivity losses and salary costs tied to burnout can exceed $3.4 million annually. Employers that prioritize prevention could save roughly $1.7 million each year.
“Burnout is not just a personal issue—it’s a workplace issue with a price tag,” said Mary Ann Baynton, director of collaboration and strategy at Canada Life’s Workplace Strategies for Mental Health. “When organizations invest in prevention, they don’t just protect their people, they protect their bottom line.”
The survey found that only 36 per cent of employees say their workplaces offer programs to prevent burnout, and nearly 60 per cent report mental health challenges that affect their work. Women and racialized Canadians were more likely to report burnout.
Employees also emphasized the importance of support from managers and co-workers, and only 42 per cent of workers with a mental health diagnosis disclose it at work due to fear of career consequences. Programs that offer flexible scheduling and paid time off were cited as the most effective interventions.
Michael Cooper, vice-president of Mental Health Research Canada, stressed the urgency for employers to act. “The cost of inaction is too high. Canadian workplaces need to move beyond awareness and into action to support their staff,” he said.
Canada Life and WSMH recommend employers use evidence-based strategies, including accommodation planning, burnout response training for managers, and workload stress management, to improve employee well-being and workplace productivity.
The full survey and related resources are available through Mental Health Research Canada.