Burnout in HR: a wakeup call for business leaders

Burnout in HR: a wakeup call for business leaders in summary:

Burnout in HR teams is becoming an unavoidable problem that must be addressed. This is because:

• Cezanne’s latest survey discovered increasing and unmanageable levels of stress and burnout among HR professionals.
• From a survey of 500 HR professionals, it found that 93% have experienced burnout, with 73% reporting emotional and physical exhaustion in the past six months.
• Business leaders must start looking for the warning signs of burnout, such as chronic fatigue and decreased motivation, and take measures to mitigate burnout in HR teams

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Today, the modern HR professional wears many hats: peacekeeper, mediator, morale booster, champion of change and sometimes, even emotional first responder.

They’re the friendly faces a company turns to in times of need, the unsung heroes behind smooth hiring processes, supporting workforce engagement and who work tirelessly to ensure employee concerns are heard… not to mention looking after all those day-to-day workforce processes that keep businesses ticking along.

However, stress levels in HR departments have been rising steadily over the past decade, and burnout is becoming a very real issue for those who are always expected to be “on” for others. But, how bad is the problem? And, what are the warning signs business leaders should be looking out for?

Burnout: the scourge of HR teams everywhere

To discover how widespread burnout is in HR departments, we partnered with the HR Ninjas community to find out. We surveyed 500 members of their group who come from all areas of HR; from Administrators all the way up to Heads of HR and Chief People Officers… and the results made for worrying reading.

Of the 500 HR professionals we surveyed, a staggering 93% of them said they’re emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted by their jobs. More worryingly, though, it seems that stress and pressure in HR are only the tip of the iceberg. When we asked them whether they’d ever felt burnt out by their roles, a staggering 93% of respondents said ‘Yes’. That’s right… 93%!

Worse still, burnout is a very real problem affecting people professionals in the here and now: with 73% of respondents reporting having experienced emotional and physical exhaustion in the past six months. This alarming statistic paints a clear picture of the toll that relentless demands and pressures are taking on HR teams today.

Who’s looking out for HR?

For those outside of the HR profession, these figures won’t come as a surprise. HR teams have been at the pointy end of workplace challenges for years; navigating furlough schemes, mediating conflicts, implementing ever-changing policies, and supporting employees through crisis after crisis… and all often with little recognition or support themselves!

As Lizzie Henson, Founder of the HR Ninjas Community commented:

“Burnout within HR is not new news and the results of this survey do not come as a surprise to me. Since the pandemic we have seen levels of chronic workplace stress rising and rising within our profession. Whilst I get that we all feel a bit of pressure at work sometimes – and that’s not always a bad thing as it can help us to perform better – it is the fact that this stress is constant and unrelenting is what is causing the issues within our profession”

Those facts should serve as a wake-up call for business leaders. The simple fact of the matter is that without HR teams, businesses and their workforces fail to function effectively. HR professionals are the backbone of a healthy workplace: driving engagement, fostering culture, and ensuring compliance. Yet, many are running on empty. It’s a problem that simply can’t be ignored any longer.

Burnout in HR: knowing the warning signs

The first step in solving the problem of burnout in HR is knowing the signs.

In the world of work, burnout isn’t just feeling a bit tired; it’s full-blown exhaustion, detachment, and a loss of motivation. People going through it often say they feel “numb” or disconnected from their work, like the spark that once drove them has faded. Even tasks that used to be easy (or maybe even enjoyable) start to feel overwhelming.

While day-to-day stress can sometimes be relieved with a good weekend break, burnout doesn’t lift so easily. If left unchecked, it can even lead to more serious long-term health problems. As one of the respondents to our survey commented:

“My stress and burnout episode several years ago has left me with Fibromyalgia, which will impact me for the rest of my life. All because of a bullying boss and an unmanageable workload”

If someone is experiencing burnout, it’s a signal that they’ve been running on empty for too long, and it takes more than a quick recharge to get them back on track.

So, if you’re concerned about the mental wellbeing of people in your HR team, here are some tell-tale signs that burnout may have taken root:

Chronic fatigue

If members of your HR team are constantly feeling tired or drained, no matter how much rest they get, it could be an early sign of burnout. Persistent fatigue, especially when it doesn’t improve with sleep or time off, is a red flag that they may be running on empty, both physically and emotionally.

Decreased motivation

A noticeable drop in enthusiasm or a reluctance to ‘go the extra mile’ can be an early warning sign that burnout is creeping in. When once-motivated people start disengaging, showing less initiative, or simply going through the motions, it’s often a signal that their energy reserves are running low.

Increased irritability

If your HR team members are becoming easily frustrated or irritated with colleagues over things that wouldn’t normally bother them, it’s a clear sign that something’s off. Increased impatience or short tempers can indicate that stress is piling up and burnout may have taken hold.

Reduced workplace performance

If your HR team is struggling to meet deadlines or finding it harder to complete tasks effectively, it’s a strong sign that stress is building up. When even routine responsibilities start feeling overwhelming or productivity takes a hit, it could mean they’re running on empty.

Workplace isolation

If normally social members of your team start consistently withdrawing from team interactions or skipping social activities, it’s a warning sign worth paying attention to. Avoiding colleagues and opting out of conversations can indicate they’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or emotionally drained.

Physical symptoms

Lastly, frequent headaches, stomach issues, or trouble sleeping are also major red flags that burnout may be setting in. When stress starts taking a physical toll on the body, it’s a clear sign that something needs to change before it gets worse.

Of course, stress can show itself in many ways and not everyone is affected in the same way. But, knowing the early indications and warning signs of burnout means you’re better placed to combat it effectively.

What can be done to reduce burnout in HR teams?

Luckily, there’s a number of initiatives business leaders can undertake to save their HR teams from the scourge of burnout.

Our exclusive report HR Under Pressure: The Quiet Crisis Affecting People Professionals digs deep into the problem. It explores in detail the causes, the effect it’s having on the profession, includes advice and comments from the HR Ninjas community, and most importantly, what can be done to reduce burnout in HR teams.

To download your copy, just hit the link below.