Overwhelming workloads now affect 68% of workers globally, with 51% feeling completely depleted at day’s end, yet many organizations treat this chronic strain as normal rather than urgent. Younger employees bear particular weight, as 44% of Gen Z leave positions specifically due to burnout, while middle managers absorb eliminated roles and retail workers face the steepest rates at 62%. Recognition that current conditions are unsustainable marks the first step toward meaningful change, and understanding the deeper patterns behind workplace overwhelm reveals paths forward.
While the modern workplace has long celebrated hustle and constant availability as badges of honor, a mounting body of evidence suggests that what many organizations have normalized as dedication is actually a widespread crisis of burnout affecting the vast majority of workers. Recent data shows that 83% of global workers experience at least some degree of burnout, with 77% of American employees reporting work-related stress in the past month alone.
What organizations celebrate as dedication has become a widespread crisis affecting the vast majority of workers.
The numbers paint a picture of widespread exhaustion. Sixty-eight percent of workers feel overwhelmed by the pace and volume of their work, while 51% feel completely used up at the end of each workday. Nearly eight out of ten workers report feeling weighed down by their jobs on a regular basis, suggesting that what passes for normal working conditions has become unsustainable for most people. Many faith communities and teachings also remind us of the importance of responsible stewardship and resisting the love of money that can drive harmful work habits.
Overwhelming workloads rank as the top burnout cause at 48% across all regions, followed by working too many hours at 40%. Forty-five percent of workers report having to work more hours per week than desired, and one-third cite lacking work-life balance as their top stress source. These patterns cut across demographics, though younger workers appear particularly affected, with 44% of Gen Z workers leaving organizations specifically due to burnout. One in four employees work outside scheduled hours most of the time or every day, with an additional 63% doing so at least sometimes.
Certain industries face even steeper challenges. The retail industry leads with 62% experiencing moderate to extreme burnout, followed closely by healthcare at 61% and tech at 58%. Middle managers have been hit especially hard, with 62% reporting increased workloads in 2025 as they absorb responsibilities from eliminated positions.
The influence of burnout on engagement has grown dramatically, with 52% saying burnout drags down their engagement, up from 34% in 2025. Job insecurity compounds the problem, with 54% of U.S. workers experiencing stress spikes due to fears about job loss. Making matters worse, the share citing lack of reward or recognition as a top burnout driver rose from 17% to 32% year-over-year, suggesting that employees feel increasingly undervalued even as their workloads intensify.
Recognition of these patterns represents a first step toward change. Workers increasingly understand that chronic overwhelm should not be accepted as the price of employment, and organizations that fail to address these conditions face mounting turnover costs and declining productivity.
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