Half of marketing and communications staff face burnout

The research, by recruitment firm Hudson UK, found that 44% of those in the sectors had experience of one or more symptoms of overwork and burnout.

This leads employers and employees to feel disillusioned with their job, demotivated and exhausted both mentally and physically, according to Richard Baker, Hudson UK head of sales and marketing.

According to Baker: "Working long hours and being available 24/7 goes with the territory for many workers. Burnout, however, goes deeper than this.

"For employers, an increase in absenteeism, premature career change and a decline in interest and pro-activity among employees can have a serious long-term effect on business success."

The survey was carried out in May by The Survey Shop and included interviews with 107 workers, employers and human resources staff in the marketing, advertising, sales and PR sectors.

Around a half of employers and employees thought the situation had worsened in the last five years.

Of the HR personnel and employers interviewed, one in seven admitted their firms had lost staff due to burnout but, worryingly, 65% had no formal system in place to help burnout sufferers.

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