40% of Employees Will Resign: Low Salary and Emotional Exhaustion (Burnout) Are the Two Main Reasons for Quitting Jobs

A survey conducted by Talkspace’s Employee Stress Check shows that more than 40% of workers consider quitting within a few years. Silent quitting in job openings has become increasingly common, especially in environments where employees feel overwhelmed by burnout and low salary.

Have you heard of silent quitting? Workers are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to job openings: having good salaries for the position and maintaining mental health have become requirements to prevent burnout and ensure a successful career.

The research from Talkspace’s Employee Stress Check shows that over 40% of all employees surveyed plan to quit in the coming years, in search of better corporate environments. The data were based on employees in the United States but reflect a global scenario.

According to the survey, the main reason employees are leaving is related to salary, at 57%. In second place is burnout (excess stress due to work), reaching 51%, a percentage very similar to the first reason. Following that, with 45% of all votes, is the lack of flexibility from brands or the excess overtime demanded by managers.

As a consequence of the factors above, the worker tends to limit their functions, doing only what is necessary. After all, they do not feel motivated to give more of themselves, as they do not get the expected personal returns. Quitting is not only being done by companies concerning job openings; it has now become part of the reality for their hired employees.

Psychologist Patrícia Ansarah states that this behavior from employees has been popularizing with Generation Z, especially those born after 1996, amplifying the voice regarding suffering in the workplace.

What Is Burnout?

Job Openings: Employees Stop Taking Extra Roles Not Included in Their Hiring by the Company

Patrícia states that employees are stopping from taking on extra roles that are not related to what was agreed upon at the time of hiring. According to her, Generation Z consists of individuals who do not mind working too much, provided it does not cost them their mental health with burnout. However, many still do not have the option to choose whether to switch companies or not, often due to a lack of professionalism, leading them to remain in abusive work environments.

The psychologist Veruska Galvão, also founder of IISP, asserts that the pandemic caused many companies to pressure their employees to deliver results. Thus, completely shaping the way of working and thinking about business relationships. However, the current generation is not just looking for a salary: professional careers should exist, but it is also important to find a balance so that it does not adversely impact their quality of life with burnout.

With this in mind, it is important for leaders to be aware of ways to improve the scenario, proposing more flexible solutions for their employees, such as a flexible hours bank and the possibility of remote work. Improving relationships in the corporate environment makes work more enjoyable and allows employees to feel satisfied, willing to deliver more.

Data released by Gallup, which considers the opinions of 3 million people, shows that only 25% of them consider themselves engaged in the corporate environment, while the rest feel demotivated by some previously mentioned factor. This directly impacts the economy, costing over US$ 7.8 trillion for companies worldwide.