62% people worried about being over worked

Recent figures released by recruitment firm Robert Half revealed that 62% of workers in the UK are worried about being overworked in 2025. So, how do we alleviate this stress from employees?

As business costs rise and resources tighten, many worry their workload will expand. According to the British Chamber of Commerce, over half of British companies plan price increases over the first three months of 2025 to compensate for the rising cost of doing business. Business owners have also voiced concerns that further taxes will be imposed on them after the most recent budget revealed that the government relied heavily on business revenue.

Additionally, there appears to be a nationwide hiring freeze, as Indeed reports a 23% decline in new job listings as of November 2024 compared to the previous year.

As companies appear to be extremely conservative with their current spending, it is no wonder employees are worried they’re about to be overworked and suffer burnout in 2025.

What can managers do to keep staff feeling in control of their workload?

1. Communicate: If an increased workload is inevitable, be honest about it. Employees understand the landscape better than you think, and if they are given the respect of honesty, they are more likely to ask how they can help. Document these discussions with goals, and check in regularly to ensure your team members feel supported.
   
2. Manage workload and workflow: Take some time to design the distribution of work evenly and logically. Decide whether you need software to facilitate this. For example, Trello can manage projects or relieve pressure on HR by giving them a staff holiday planner like Leave Dates.
   
3. Use this process to reduce unnecessary work tasks and decide if regular email updates could replace regular meetings to keep your team productive.
   
4. Create clear work-life balance boundaries and let your staff members have their time off. Many countries have made the ‘Right to Disconnect’ a law, and while the UK hasn’t made it there yet, there is no reason your company can’t lead the way.
   
5. Train managers on work-life balance: Active listening and empathy should be part of every workplace culture. If your company has KPIs, creating one that revolves around a healthy work environment may be worth it.
   
6. Make sure that your staff use their leave, and supply them with a savvy leave management system to book and manage their time off.

Everyone is feeling the pinch.

Robert Half and the British Chamber of Commerce's findings clearly show that pressure is being felt on all levels. While business costs feel critical, burning out staff is not worth the risk. Focusing on communication, transparency, and culture can go a long way in helping any business in this challenging era. A sound strategy for managing workload will keep staff feeling energised and purposeful even if their workloads increase.