Employee Productivity Is Up, but So Is Burnout

Remote work has resulted in a boost in productivity, according to a new report, but worker burnout has also skyrocketed. 

That’s according to a survey of 175 HR executives in the U.S. recently released by The Conference Board.

Sixty-two percent of organizations with primarily remote workforces said they’ve seen productivity grow since the start of the pandemic, the report said. While organizations that have on-site work policies also have reported productivity increases, this was the case for only 47% of respondents.

At the same time, 77% of respondents say they’ve seen an increase in employees who identify as burned out—up from 42% in September 2020.

Employees are also using fewer vacation days, feeling less engaged, and have lower morale. More are seeking support for their mental health as they work a greater number of hours.

“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, employee well-being has declined and burnout is on the rise,” said Rebecca Ray, executive vice president of human capital at The Conference Board.

“To retain workers, HR leaders will need a strong focus on improving the employee experience. That includes both allowing and encouraging employees to integrate their work and personal lives in a way that works best for them.”

Respondents did note some areas of improvement in organizational culture, however.

More than 70% of respondents said that since the start of the pandemic, commitment to corporate social responsibility, genuine caring by managers, transparent communication by leaders, and collaborative technology have changed for the better.

Meanwhile, more than 60% of respondents said they’ve seen improvements in the quality of leadership at their organizations, as well as inclusivity, commitment to innovation, and articulation of mission and purpose.

However, 25% of respondents said the level of trust between organization leaders and employees has declined since the start of pandemic.