Burnout is the debilitating emotional, physical and mental exhaustion due to unrelenting, unmanaged stress. According to various workplace surveys compiled in 2025, more than 43% of employees globally report burnout, up from 38% just two years earlier.
“Burnout isn’t caused by a lack of treats or incentives — it’s the result of a chronic mismatch between what’s being asked of people and what they realistically have the capacity to give,” says Jean Rodrigues, a coach supervisor at the South African College of Applied Psychology.
She advises:
- Wellness days and spa vouchers cannot undo unrealistic workloads and vague boundaries;
- Burnout highlights the deeper structural and systemic issues within an organisation;
- Companies with a strong coaching culture have leaders who check on their teams’ capacity and energy, not just results;
- People need to be able to communicate their limits without fear of judgment or reprisal;
- A culture of clear communication results in fewer misunderstandings and unnecessary urgency; and
- Coaching helps teams to process stress rather than suffer alone in silence.
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