SHRM Survey: Nearly Half of U.S. Workers Feel Mentally, Physically Exhausted by End of Each Workday May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and new research from SHRM highlights the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on employed Americans. As employees seek to balance their personal and professional responsibilities, 48 percent of U.S. workers feel mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the workday.
The survey on the mental health of U.S. workers more than a year into the pandemic shows burnout and symptoms of depression persist. Of note, working women reported experiencing burnout at significantly higher rates than men, and employees who telework often experience more depressive symptoms compared to those who don’t telework. Maintaining employee morale and engagement tops the list of challenges for organizations in 2021. Employers are taking action to improve employees’ emotional wellbeing by increasing communication, encouraging employees to take time off, investing in more resources, and asking for employee feedback more frequently.
“There’s no shortage of challenges facing Americans right now—the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and a mental health crisis,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, SHRM president and CEO. “Now more than ever, employers must be alert and look for signs that may indicate employees are hurting and take concrete actions to help them as we start returning to work.” SHRM is committed to working with state leaders and policymakers to prioritize mental health in the workplace and create better workplaces for a better world. | 
