How much of the global workforce is currently feeling burned out?
If you said, “I dunno, maybe half,” you’re correct: according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), some 48 percent of workers around the world report burnout; in the U.S., that climbs to 50 percent. (The firm surveyed 11,000 workers in eight countries to come to those conclusions.)
“Burnout is highly correlated with low feelings of inclusion,” the report added. “The four sentiments that have the greatest impact on employees’ overall sense of inclusion are having good access to resources, senior managerial support, psychological safety with direct manager, and a fair and equal opportunity for success.”
What’s more, the report found that burnout was much higher among certain groups: “Women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and deskless workers experienced up to 26 percent higher burnout. Moreover, these employee groups reported lower inclusion than employees who were in majority groups or were desk-based.”
So, what’s the solution? According to BCG, it all boils down to four points:
- Understanding employees and designing benefits to cater to their needs.
- Have leaders who understand “the value of supportive and enriching environments.”
As with so many other things in professional life, success in inclusion boils down to managers effectively listening to their team and translating their concerns into action.
Broader Burnout
But there are also things that tech professionals can do to feel connected and (hopefully) avoid burnout, including:
- Build Connections: Take every opportunity to connect with colleagues outside your immediate team. Strike up conversations about shared interests or industry trends. Look for mentoring programs or even fun activity groups within the office.
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Volunteer for cross-functional projects. Shadow colleagues in different departments. You’ll learn new things, boost your value, and maybe even make new friends.
- Work on Your Creativity: Take the initiative and suggest improvements to existing workflows and project. Feeling heard and having a tangible impact combats your feelings of isolation.
- Advocate Hard: Have an open and honest conversation with your manager about whatever’s bothering you. Express your desire for inclusion. A proactive approach demonstrates initiative and can lead to a more fulfilling workload.
As we’ve detailed in many a Dice Sentiment Report, burnout remains a huge problem among tech professionals, powered by everything from isolation to feelings of overwork. With communication and transparency, most problems can be overcome.
