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How to avoid burnout in the workplace
Burnout in the workplace – how can music help?
Work-related burnout amongst workers is at ‘crisis point’ as over half (54%) of employees in the UK have experienced it in the last year, according to our new survey.
The survey of 2000 UK workers found that almost three-quarters (72%) have experienced burnout at some point in their job role, rising to 100% of retail workers and creative professionals.
The research also revealed the main contributors to burnout at work: heavy workloads (52%), long working hours (45%) and unrealistic expectations (33%).
Workers surveyed said that burnout impacted their work life with feelings of frustration (45%), feeling unproductive or having a lack of motivation (42%) and feeling undervalued (36%).
Burnout also impacted their personal lives, as almost half (45%) reported anxiety and an inability to relax (44%), while almost two-fifths (39.9%) reported trouble sleeping as a result.
Our survey also revealed the methods that workers turn to when experiencing burnout. Music was cited as the number one choice with over a third (37%) saying it’s their ‘go-to’ coping method. Other methods include spending time with friends and family (26%) and prioritising rest (24%).
We spoke to some industry experts for their thoughts on burnout and how to combat it.
Donna Gutteridge, Culture & Service Lead at Oliver Bonas, says:
“Whilst retail can be a rewarding industry to work in, it can also be a challenging one. With long hours on your feet, dealing with customers and targets to hit, burnout can soon creep in.
“It’s important for retail workers to take a real break – not just five minutes to eat a quick sandwich – so you can recharge properly. If you’re always on-the-go, you’ll end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
“The fact that 38% of retail workers turn to music to cope with burnout is unsurprising. Hearing your favourite song playing in store is such a mood boost and, in general, creates a fun, relaxing atmosphere to work in.
“Ultimately, the key is catching burnout early and creating an environment where team members feel safe and supported enough to say, ‘I’m struggling’.
Joe Nixon, Co-Founder & Creative Director of design studio Arch Creative, adds:
“The pressure to deliver to tight deadlines, constantly create, and stay inspired can take its toll. I’ve learned to manage burnout by following two of our brand values: Open and Connect – talking openly, setting clear boundaries, and linking up with the team so we can work together and ease the pressure.
Music has always been my go-to reset to connect: it cuts through all the stress and clears my head.”
Joe Nixon, Co-Founder & Creative Director of design studio, Arch Creative
Lisa Gilligan, Office Managing Partner at law firm Freeths shares:
“The legal industry attracts individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where standards are high and the potential stress and long hours can have a negative impact. Wellbeing is so important and we do all we can to provide a supportive framework for our staff.
“Hearing your favourite song playing in the office can give you a mood boost and create lighter moments that give respite to more intense work sprints. Wellbeing activities in the office are also elevated as music can create a more positive relaxing atmosphere. It can also reflect the diversity of the firm and promote inclusivity.”
Why could music be the answer?
We spoke to Marianne Rizkallah, Music Therapist for PPL PRS, who explained why music can help alleviate a sense of stress or burnout in the workplace.
She says, “It’s no secret that music is the key to helping many of us unlock our productivity and feel more focused. It can also help us when we’re feeling unmotivated, stuck, or stressed.
“In the workplace, we don’t often consider the soundtrack we have and will usually be so focused on tasks that music blends into the background. Yet considering how music can leave us feeling positive, less stressed and happier, it’s no wonder that the music we hear at work should also be doing that too.
“A silent office can seem intimidating, making it harder for people to speak up or to ask for help. Yet equally working with a booming soundtrack can be distracting and hard for concentration, so it’s important to find a happy medium. This might involve letting employees take turns in what is played or agreeing on a calm playlist that makes the workplace a productive place to be.”
What else can you do?
Leadership coach for PPL PRS, Debbie Green, explains how employers can keep burnout in the workplace in check as she says:
“Staff that are burnt out, stressed out or anxious at work aren’t going to be producing their best, and this can have a huge impact on a business as well as the rest of the staff.
“As an employer, it’s important to lead by example and to set boundaries for your staff with a clear work/life balance. This is particularly useful for younger employees who might be keen to show their best side and not realise the impact of staying late or doing more than their hours.
“It’s also important to consider how important praise can be and ensure that good work is seen to be rewarded. Regularly acknowledging hard work, great results, or even just brilliant moments when a team has worked together and supported each other can make it clear that work is a positive place to be.”
If your people are showing symptoms of burnout and you are looking to use music to combat this, contact us to discuss TheMusicLicence and start playing music in your business.
References
*Survey performed by PPL PRS via Attest of 2000 UK adults in February 2025
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