Addressing employee burnout: Are you solving the right problem?

Jun 15, 2022

Addressing toxic workplace behaviors is key to tackling employee burnout. Image: Unsplash/Nubelson Fernandes

Jacqueline Brassey

Chief Scientist and Director of Research Science for People & Organizational Performance Practice., Mckinsey and Company

Martin Dewhurst

Global Leader, Mckinsey Health Institute

Kana Enomoto

Senior Expert, Washington DC, McKinsey & Company

Brad Herbig

Engagement Manager, Mckinsey and Company

Barbara Jeffery

Partner, Mckinsey and Company

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Future of Work

Chart showing workplace rates of employee burnout by country.

On average, one in four employees surveyed report experiencing burnout symptoms. Image: McKinsey & Company

Chart showing contributing factors to employee burnout.

More than 60% cited toxic workplace behavior as the biggest predictor of employee burnout symptoms. Image: McKinsey & Company

Infographic showing relationship between toxic behavior and employee burnout.

Employees who report experiencing high levels of toxic behavior at work are eight times more likely to experience burnout symptoms. Image: McKinsey & Company

Employee burnout is less common in those who are more adaptable tend to have an edge in managing change and adversity. Image: McKinsey & Company

Infographic for workplace factors impacting employee burnout.

Improving all other organization factors assessed (without addressing toxic behavior) does not meaningfully improve reported levels of employee burnout symptoms. Image: McKinsey & Company

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