Work-life balance is a critical issue for tech professionals everywhere. But after a turbulent year in the tech industry, do tech pros feel like they’re effectively juggling the needs of work and home life? Are they burning out?
According to Dice’s latest Sentiment Report, tech pros are doing a pretty good job of maintaining their work-life balance. Compared to last year’s survey, when 51 percent of tech professionals reported that their work-life balance remained the same, this year saw a notable increase, with 57 percent indicating that their work-life balance stayed the same.
(As an aside, here’s a quick methodology breakdown for all of you survey aficionados out there: the Q2 2024 Technology Professionals Sentiment Survey was conducted online via email June 5 – 27, 2024. The survey generated 520 qualified responses from fully employed technology professionals residing in the U.S.)
Open-ended responses from those who indicated that work-life balance improved kept to similar themes—the transition to remote work and some positive job changes have led to increased satisfaction, better health outcomes, and improved overall quality of life for many individuals.
Tech professionals are experiencing burnout at the same levels as they have in recent years, as well. Today, 40 percent of tech professionals do not feel they experience burnout compared to 31 percent who feel that they do. Among those who are burned out, unfair pay or salary, a toxic work environment, and the lack of recognition for work and workload are the top contributing factors cited.
While it is good to see that burnout isn’t on the rise, the proportion of tech professionals who experience burnout at 31 percent is still much too high. Every situation behind burnout is going to be different, but HR professionals, team leaders, and others in charge should stick to what they know works: encourage their workforce to use the time-off benefits given to them, conduct and communicate a pay equity analysis, support healthy work-life balances with the right policies, and listen to employees when they express concerns.
Solving Burnout
Tech professionals also have a fair degree of agency when it comes to preventing burnout. Here are some tried-and-true tips:
Step away if necessary:
Set boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. And once you leave for the day, make a point of disconnecting: avoid checking emails late, and protect your evenings and weekends.
- Take vacations: Disconnect completely during vacation, recharge, and return refreshed.
- Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Regular sleep promotes physical and mental recovery, boosting resilience against stress.
Negotiate your workload:
Keep an eye on your workload: Prioritize tasks effectively and learn to decline additional work. Your manager wants to keep you effective, and will likely help you adjust your workload if necessary.
- Delegate and collaborate: Delegate tasks when possible, and leverage teamwork to balance your workload.
- Automate repetitive tasks: Utilize technology to automate routine tasks, freeing up your time for more meaningful work.
Seek balance at work:
Connect with colleagues: Build positive relationships with your team, offer support, and celebrate successes together. A sense of community can go a long way toward making you feel more centered.
- Seek positive feedback: Ask for constructive feedback to learn and grow, and acknowledge progress and achievements. Feedback will allow you to tweak your schedule and workload while avoiding stressors.
- Express gratitude: Practice gratitude for your job, colleagues, and accomplishments. A positive attitude boosts well-being and creates a better work environment.
