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86% of jobseekers feel they are working more than ever – Gi Group

More than 1,600 respondents agreed workloads have increased, while only 14% did not.

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Cindy gunn head of people at gi group
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86% of jobseekers said they feel they are working more than ever, according to the latest survey from Gi Group.

More than 1,600 respondents agreed workloads have increased, while only 14% did not. 

Gi Group said this reflects rising stress and burnout in the UK labour market as businesses face skills shortages, changes in National Insurance and rapid advances in technology.

Cindy Gunn (pictured), group head of people at Gi Group, said: “We’re experiencing some of the toughest times in modern recruitment, with vacancies falling month on month, which affects both those in employment and those looking for work. 

“With financial pressures, and an unstable recruitment landscape, it is natural for feelings of stress and overwhelm to be creeping into modern workplaces. 

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“However, it is the role of the employer and HR professionals to ensure that this doesn’t lead to prolonged feelings of burnout.”

Gunn added: “We have a fantastic team of 60 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA’s) across Gi Group who work tirelessly to ensure that our team always have someone to talk to, if they wish. 

“We prioritise the mental wellbeing of our teams because our business simply couldn’t exist without them. 

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“It’s time for businesses to realign what is really important.”

She said: “Legislative changes will continue to create waves of adaptation and adjustment too, as the Employment Rights Act comes into effect over the coming months and years. 

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“We work at the frontline of the recruitment industry, so we know when businesses are flourishing and we know when they’re “counting the pennies”. 

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“However, despite the challenging times we’re facing, there is never a reason for investment in the mental wellbeing of your workforce to not be a priority.”

She added: “Now more than ever businesses need to ensure they are retaining their top talent. It’s a time for burnout prevention and a focus on staff retention. 

“We see often that great employees start to look for an alternative role, thinking the grass is greener around the time they feel their workload is unmanageable. 

“Sometimes it is hard to spot, as employees can mask the signals, but often there are tell-tale signs such as an increase in sick days, a quiet mood, push back on tasks which they’d usually complete without complaint. These are the signs to look out for.”

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She said: “We believe that providing an internal structure, and sharing training resources and building awareness, all combine to cement an inclusive working environment. 

“It isn’t about having the greatest investment, it’s about having consistent and reliable support available for colleagues, if they need it.”

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