New survey reveals nearly 40% of Canadian employees are feeling burnt out

A new national survey conducted by Mental Health Research Canada, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health and Canada Life, has found that 39% of Canadian employees report feeling burnt out.

While the survey's authors find the rise of burnout (up from 35% in 2023) "troubling" they also say the finding show burnout is not just a wellness issue—it's also a business issue.

"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, from 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."

For a company with 500 employees, burnout-related productivity losses and salary costs can exceed $3.4 million annually. Yet, similarly sized organizations that prioritize burnout prevention can save approximately $1.7 million per year, the research found.

The survey also revealed that 42% of employees with a mental health diagnosis disclose it at work and that programs like paid time off and flexible schedules were more effective amongst survey respondents than awareness campaigns. 

"This year's findings underscore the urgent need for Canadian workplaces to move beyond awareness and into action," said Michael Cooper, vice-president, Mental Health Research Canada. "With nearly 40% of employees reporting burnout and over half facing mental health challenges that affect their work, the cost of inaction is too high."