Burnout Is Making Many New York Workers Unhappy

Burnout may be having a bigger impact on your happiness than you think. A new survey of more than 1,000 full-time workers found that more than one-third say they feel burned out at work.

Burnout Is the Biggest Difference

The survey found a huge gap between happy and unhappy workers. 19% of happy workers said they feel burned out. Among unhappy workers, that number jumped to 84%.

Knowing What to Do Helps

Workers are happier when they understand what is expected of them. Among happy workers, 93% said they have a clear path to success at work. Only about half of unhappy workers said the same. Experts say employees are more likely to enjoy their jobs when they know what they need to do.

Feeling Valued Matters

New Yorkers who feel supported by their employer are more likely to be happy at work. The survey found that 85% of happy workers feel their employer cares about them. Among unhappy workers, that number is only 30%.

Unhappy Workers Put In More Hours

Workers who said they were unhappy reported working about three more hours each week than happy workers. While that may not seem like much, the extra hours can add up and increase stress over time.

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Life Outside of Work Makes a Difference

The survey found that happy workers are more likely to stay involved in their communities. Nearly half said they volunteer, attend community events, or participate in other activities outside of work. Only about one-third of unhappy workers said they do the same.

The News Adds More Stress

Many workers check the news during the workday, but unhappy workers are more likely to be stressed by what they see. Over 75% of unhappy workers said the news increases their stress level, compared to 60% of happy workers. TURN OFF THE NEWS!

Some Careers Report Lower Happiness Levels

The survey found the highest levels of unhappiness among military and first responder jobs, food service workers, and government employees. Workers in nonprofits, science and research fields reported some of the highest levels of job satisfaction.

AI Is Not Saving Time for Everyone

Artificial intelligence is becoming more common in workplaces across New York and the rest of the country. However, about 20% of workers surveyed said AI has actually increased their workload rather than making their jobs easier.

What Makes Workers Happy?

The recipe for workplace happiness seems simple. Workers are more likely to be happy when they understand what's expected of them, feel supported by their managers, believe their employer cares about them, and have a life outside of work. When those things are missing, burnout and unhappiness will probably follow.