The research found that the share is higher among women, 85 percent, than men, 76 percent.
Eight in ten respondents said burnout was a serious problem that harmed both the labor market and company performance.
At the same time, 89 percent believe employers downplay its scale, and only 11 percent think firms recognize the issue and try to counter it.
“The high share of Poles declaring job burnout shows it is not an individual experience, it is widespread, with a clear social dimension, and stems from systemic dysfunctions in work culture, such as excessive workload, weak supervisor support, and an insufficient sense of purpose,” Maison said.
Younger people reported symptoms more often, while those over 55 most often said they had never experienced burnout.
Maison said this may point to changing expectations of employers, including care for employee well-being, and a shift in how people value work in relation to private life, often described as work-life balance.
The most commonly reported symptoms were chronic fatigue and lack of energy, lack of motivation and a loss of meaning in one’s work. For many, the condition lasted well beyond a short crisis. About 31 percent said it persisted for up to six months, and 36 percent said it lasted longer than a year.
People with a higher education reported burnout more often than those with less schooling. Among respondents with only a primary education, the largest group, 45 percent, said they were not experiencing burnout and had never felt it.
Two thirds of Poles, or 66 percent, believe burnout should be treated like an illness, with access to medical treatment and sick leave.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress.
The poll was conducted from September 5 to 8 on Ariadna, a nationwide online research panel, with a representative sample of 1,138 adults aged 18 and over.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP