A new national survey reveals that workplace burnout continues to rise among Canadian employees, contributing to significant productivity and financial losses for employers.
Commissioned by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) in partnership with Workplace Strategies for Mental Health (WSMH), and conducted by Pollara, the 2025 survey shows that nearly 39 per cent of employees in Canada report feeling burnt out — an increase from 2023.
According to the findings, burnout has a direct financial impact. A company with 500 employees may face burnout-related costs exceeding $3.4 million annually in lost productivity and salary expenses. However, organizations that actively work to prevent burnout can reduce those losses by approximately $1.7 million per year.
Mary Ann Baynton
“Burnout is not just a personal issue—it’s a workplace issue with a price tag,” said Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Collaboration and Strategy at Canada Life’s Workplace Strategies for Mental Health. “When organizations invest in prevention, they don’t just protect their people, they protect their bottom line.”
Despite the growing concern, only 36 per cent of employees say their workplace offers effective programs to prevent burnout.
Michael Cooper
“This year’s findings underscore the urgent need for Canadian workplaces to move beyond awareness and into action,” said Michael Cooper, Vice President of MHRC. “With nearly 40 per cent of employees reporting burnout and over half facing mental health challenges that affect their work, the cost of inaction is too high.”
The survey identified several key insights:
Burnout is widespread: Higher rates were reported among women and racialized employees.
Support is critical: Manager and peer support have the strongest positive impact on workplace mental health.
Disclosure remains low: Only 42 per cent of employees with a mental health diagnosis disclose it at work, often due to fear of career repercussions.
Effective solutions: Paid time off and flexible schedules are seen as more helpful than general awareness campaigns.
To address the issue, the survey highlights tools and strategies available through WSMH, including:
Burnout response and accommodation planning for leaders.
Resources to promote work-life balance and manage workload stress.
Evidence-based actions to foster psychologically safe workplaces.
These strategies are outlined in Canada Life’s Cost of Inaction (COI) Report, which shows that investing in employee mental health not only improves well-being but also delivers measurable financial benefits.
The full survey and related tools are available through Mental Health Research Canada.
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024 and 2025.
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