Workplace Burnout Surges: 2 in 5 Aussie Employees Already Exhausted in 2025

New research from people2people Recruitment suggests that burnout is set to be one of the most significant workplace challenges in 2025, with alarming numbers of Australian workers already struggling at the start of the year. As stress levels rise, experts warn that businesses must take a proactive approach to addressing employee wellbeing or risk major financial and operational consequences.

Burnout on the Rise

Recent polls conducted by people2people Recruitment highlight troubling trends in employee burnout and workplace stress:

• Nearly 40% of Australian workers expect stress levels and burnout to be harder to manage in 2025 compared to the previous year, while only 20% believe it will improve.
• Two in five employees are beginning the year already burnt out.
• 90% of Australian workers feel that burnout is ignored until it becomes critical. Over half say the warning signs are identified too late, while 39% believe they are outright ignored.
• More than half of Australian workers would take burnout leave if it were available. However, workplace culture remains a barrier: 8% fear being judged for taking burnout leave, and 7% say their workplace simply would not allow it.

The Business Cost of Burnout

Burnout is not just an employee wellbeing issue—it has direct financial implications for businesses. Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of Outsourced HR Solutions at people2people Recruitment, warns that failing to address burnout can have costly repercussions.

“Burnout has a significant financial impact. When employees reach breaking point, businesses suffer from higher absenteeism, lower productivity, and ultimately, increased turnover. The cost of replacing an employee can range from 30% to 150% of their annual salary. By addressing burnout proactively, employers can minimise the costly cycle of recruiting and onboarding new hires,” says Wijayasinghe.

How Employees Are Responding

The data also provides insight into how employees are currently coping with burnout:

• 37% simply push through the exhaustion, risking long-term health consequences.
• 22% are prepared to quit if burnout becomes overwhelming.
• 16% are actively setting better work boundaries to protect their wellbeing.
• 25% turn to vacations or meditation as a way to reset.

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Burnout Prevention

Workplace wellbeing experts stress that businesses need to change how they approach burnout. Rather than reacting to burnout after employees reach breaking point, organisations should take proactive steps to integrate wellbeing into workplace culture.

“Organisations need to move from burnout firefighting to burnout blocking. This means embedding workplace wellbeing into company culture rather than treating it as an afterthought,” says burnout prevention expert Sally McGrath.

What Can Employers Do?

To mitigate burnout, businesses should consider:

• Encouraging open discussions around workload management and mental health.
• Implementing flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Providing structured burnout leave without stigma or fear of judgment.
• Investing in wellbeing programs that prioritise long-term employee resilience.
• Training managers to identify and address burnout early.

As stress levels continue to rise, tackling burnout is not just about supporting employees—it is essential for business sustainability. Companies that fail to address burnout risk higher staff turnover, lower productivity, and increasing operational costs. With early intervention and cultural shifts, organisations can prevent burnout from becoming a crisis and foster a healthier, more engaged workforce.

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