Burnout and depression on the rise in adland despite hybrid work

The relationship between hybrid work and employee mental health has become a focal point in workplace discussions since the Covid pandemic.

A new survey of media and advertising professionals by Never Not Creative, The Mentally Healthy Change Group, and charity organisation UnLtd details the link between the two. The survey was conducted in Australia, New Zealand, UK, and US with over 2,000 professionals.

From the results, 38% of people said they are depressed while working from home. While many employees report improved mental wellbeing due to the flexibility hybrid work offers, anxiety, burnout and depression also noticeably increase. 

32% of those who have hybrid working arrangements said they are depressed, and 30% with flexible working arrangements said they are depressed. For those who only have the choice of working in the office, 33% of people said they are depressed. 

For workplace anxiety, which can manifest in various ways, from employees' concerns over their job performance to interactions with colleagues, 40% of people reported they have anxiety working in the office compared to 28% of people who have flexible working arrangements.

Just as worryingly, 70% of media and advertising professionals report suffering from burnout in the last year. According to respondents, the burnout problem is exacerbated when senior leaders set a precedent by working late, skipping breaks, or working while sick. 

Respondents say this behaviour often trickles down through the organisation, creating an environment where overwork is normalised and celebrated, leading to widespread burnout. 

Respondents suggest that this issue be addressed effectively, and they said that a cultural shift in how work and rest are valued beyond financial compensation is needed rather than being told they need resilience or being taught self-care tactics like “productivity apps, journaling, or face masks”.

According to the study, there is also a correlation between age and mental health particularly among professionals born in the 1990s who appear to be the most affected, with a lesser impact observed in those born in the 1980s. 

The research shows that mental health issues are not worsening with age for those born before the 1980s. The study suggests that the declining mental health among millennials is a significant factor contributing to the overall deterioration of population-level mental health.

Older participants, particularly those over 40, tend to experience more stress related to work, such as job-related health issues and sleep disturbances. In contrast, younger participants display higher levels of anxiety and depression, reporting symptoms such as nervous energy, difficulty breathing, and feelings of meaninglessness.

The study also found that individuals with better mental health are more likely to work from home, be older, heterosexual, and work in businesses with 20-49 employees. 

In addition, those who are very satisfied with their pay, get good sleep, and work in environments that prioritise people over profit tend to report higher levels of mental wellbeing. However, these individuals also feel less equipped to manage someone with a mental health problem.

A complete written report by Never Not Creative, The Mentally Healthy Change Group and UnLtd will be released next week.