American workforce burnout reaches tipping point

Core Insights - The 14th annual Aflac WorkForces Report highlights significant levels of workplace stress and burnout, particularly among U.S. Hispanic employees, who experience burnout nearly twice as often as their non-Hispanic counterparts [1][2][12] Group 1: Workplace Stress and Burnout - Nearly 3 in 5 American workers are affected by burnout, with millennials (ages 28-43) experiencing the highest levels at 66%, compared to 55% of Gen X (ages 44-59) and 39% of baby boomers (ages 60-78) [2] - The percentage of employees reporting high levels of stress has increased to 38% in 2024, up from 33% in 2023, with U.S. Hispanic workers reporting 46% experiencing high/very high stress, an increase from 37% in 2023 [2][6] Group 2: Causes of Workplace Stress - Heavy workloads (32%) and long work hours (27%) are identified as the primary contributors to workplace stress [3] - The report notes an increase in severe implications of stress, including post-traumatic stress (12% in 2024, up from 7% in 2023) and eating disorders (9% in 2024, up from 6% in 2023) [3] Group 3: Financial Vulnerability - The report indicates that 70% of American workers experience anxiety regarding the impact of unexpected serious medical conditions, an increase from 60% in 2023 [6] - More than half (51%) of employees cannot afford $1,000 in unexpected medical expenses, with U.S. Hispanic (58%) and African American (59%) employees reporting higher financial instability [6][8] Group 4: Importance of Benefits - The significance of benefits to employee loyalty and engagement has reached an all-time high, with 93% of employees recognizing the importance of supplemental insurance for financial security [9][10] - A growing number of employees (62%, up from 53% in 2023) would consider leaving their jobs for better benefits, even if it meant a pay cut [10] Group 5: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Participation in employers' CSR efforts positively impacts employee well-being, with 91% reporting benefits, although 1 in 4 employees are unaware of their employers' CSR initiatives [14] - A significant portion of employees (77%) consider CSR initiatives important when making employment decisions [15]