Home » Has ‘Burnout’ Replaced ‘Busy’ As The New Badge Of Success In The Workplace?

24 March, 2023

Has ‘Burnout’ Replaced ‘Busy’ As The New Badge Of Success In The Workplace?

Urban List and Freelancing Gems have conducted a survey of over 8,000 people exploring The New Work* Order—which revealed that 82% of respondents believe they have experienced burnout at work, and 29% believe burnout is an inevitable part of achieving success.

The New Work* Order examines changes in workplace motivations and the cultural shifts around our 9 to 5. Report author, Urban List’s head of brand & culture Sophia Wilcox, shared that “this is an astounding statistic and one that is potentially problematic. It could be an indicator that ‘burnout’ may be replacing ‘busy’ as the new badge of workplace success. This highlights an urgent need for businesses to educate and support their employees by setting clear expectations and managing priorities”.

Urban List collaborated with Freelancing Gems—Australia’s only jobs platform and community for female freelancers to conduct this research. CoFounder & CEO of Freelancing Gems, Fleur Madden, shared:

“What we know for sure and the study backed up, is the 9 to 5 is dead for employees and their unrest has exposed structural weaknesses and opportunities in how we work. As a result, businesses and employees must adapt to cater to the shifting expectations of the workforce, especially in such a critical job market. With a large percentage of candidates searching for flexibility and 13% sharing that they are considering leaving their current job to start freelancing/consulting in the next 12 months, the opportunity for employers is to meet the market, or continue to struggle with finding suitable talent.”

This presents a significant opportunity for savvy and evolving businesses to attract and retain the best talent if they truly listen to and understand what people want from work in 2023 and beyond.

The data also highlighted the ongoing importance of flexibility in the workplace, with 88% of respondents stating that the ability for flexible work arrangements is important in any role for them in the future and more than half (52%) sharing they would look to resign from their current role if flexible working options were no longer available.

Wilcox concluded, “ 1 in 4 respondents shared that getting meaning or a sense of purpose through the work they do is their top priority, even more so than what they are paid. This exposes a real opportunity for brands to help people identify their purpose and align through values by becoming a partner in their growth and development, health and wellness journeys or financial goals. The needs are real and the possibilities are endless”.

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