A new report by Cezanne has uncovered the alarming levels of stress and burnout experienced by HR professionals across the UK today.
HR Under Pressure, a report based on a survey of over 500 members of the HR Ninjas community, paints a concerning picture of the pressures faced by those tasked with managing workplace wellbeing… and those findings are stark.
The report discovered 64% of HR professionals are experiencing near-constant stress, with a shocking 93% admitting to having experienced burnout at some point in their careers. Worse still, burnout has become so severe for some that 83% of respondents revealed they had to take time off work in the last year due to stress-related conditions.
Why are HR teams struggling?
The rising stress levels have come about due to a perfect storm of challenges. High on the list of stressors are unmanageable workloads and insufficient resources. HR professionals often wear multiple hats: handling everything from conflict resolution to compliance and employee morale.
“We are overworked and under-resourced, and are expected to just get on with it and show no signs of weakness. It’s unsustainable, but they [business leaders] don’t care – irony of ironies for a “people” function!” added one respondent in the report.
Additionally, the ever-changing regulatory landscape and the ongoing effects of economic uncertainties have compounded the stress. Many HR teams are simply being asked to do more with less, stretching their capacity to beyond breaking point.
The human cost of neglect
The report also underscores the cascading impact of that stress. Not only does burnout affect the mental and physical health of people professionals, but it also undermines their ability to support employees effectively, creating a ripple effect throughout the organisation.
“Burnout in HR isn’t just a personal issue – it’s now a growing business problem,” says Paul Bauer, Head of Content at Cezanne. “When HR professionals are running on empty, everyone in the organisation feels the impact. This report serves as a wake-up call for organisations to prioritise the wellbeing of their HR teams. Supporting the supporters isn’t just compassionate – it’s essential for sustainable business success. Without that support, there’s a very real danger of HR becoming an endangered profession.”
A call to action for business leaders
The report calls on organisations and their leaders to take immediate action to alleviate the pressures on HR teams. Recommendations include increasing investment in HR resources, providing opportunities for professional development, and ensuring meaningful support is given to their HR departments.
By addressing those challenges, organisations not only safeguard the wellbeing of their HR teams; but also strengthen their overall resilience. After all, as the report highlights, when HR thrives, so do their businesses.
To download the full report, visit Cezanne HR’s website.
