HR Burnout Is a Health Crisis: Why Chronic Stress Is Harming the People Who Care for Everyone Else

HR professionals are reporting burnout faster than any other corporate function at 81-98%. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from ‘”chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” according to the World Health Organization, and the health consequences are severe.

I see the word used frequently, yet too little is said about its medical implications. Do I want to wake you up to reality? Absolutely.

Burnout arises from a chronic stress response

Our body is designed to tolerate short bursts of stress. This helps us survive immediate, real danger (think saber tooth tiger). But today, especially HR professionals, face a constant ‘perceived threat,’ which keeps the body in a prolonged state of elevated stress. This causes hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to flood the body, triggering a host of physiological reactions such as:  

• Elevated heart rate  
• Increased blood pressure 
• Oxygen shifts from the brain to the muscles 
• Significantly slowed digestion, and;
• Suppressed immune system 

Yes, that means every time you feel stressed, your immune system and digestion are compromised. This explains why stomach problems and frequent illness are so common among chronically stressed professionals and why you feel so exhausted. Not to mention the increased pressure on your heart puts you at increased risk of a heart attack.

Long-term stress is a leading cause of chronic illness, confirmed by rigorous academic research and leading health institutions such as the Mayo Clinic.

Why do HR professionals suffer disproportionately from burnout? The function is unique because HR teams:

• Use compassion and empathy daily, managing employee crises that lead to emotional exhaustion or compassion fatigue.
• Face continual expanding responsibilities: Wellbeing, frequent DEI policy changes, hybrid work policies, expanded compliance, and AI-related ramifications.
• Are held accountable for complex issues like burnout and wellbeing, while often lacking resources and funding to address these effectively.
• Are among the first hit by downsizing and cost-cutting efforts, paradoxically limiting their ability to impact organizational success.

Top Drivers

A 2023 McKinsey Health Institute study identified the top drivers of burnout which are:

1. Toxic workplace behavior (19.6)
2. Role ambiguity (17.3)
3. Role conflict (9.4)
4. Interpersonal conflict (8.9)
5. Work pressure (7.6)

These “work demands” were found to be seven times more predictive of burnout than ‘work enablers’ like adaptability, meaning & belonging, and psychological safety. Data matters, and so if budgets are tight, invest in reducing harmful work demands first. The numbers listed after each demand are indicative of their relative impact. For instance, ‘toxic workplace behavior’ and ‘role ambiguity’ are two times more significant than the three demands listed below them. 

By strategically addressing these organizational issues we can lower the burnout rate, and increase the health & wellbeing of our talent, significantly decrease  health care costs and lost productivity due to illness and exhaustion.

But these problems are nothing new. Although we have historic levels of burnout in 2025, the age old organizational problem of too much work and too few people has been around as long as I’ve been in HR (over 25 years) and longer. 

There comes a point though, hopefully before a serious health diagnosis, at which you will recognize that your health and wellbeing is the priority. Without it, you have nothing. If your organization is not going to address the underlying cause of your burnout, you are only left to consider the actions you will take. 

This is where a board certified health coach trained in the stress response and the neuroscience of mental shifts can make a difference. 

I am proud to be among the distinguished group of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱-𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 & 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 (𝗡𝗕𝗖-𝗛𝗪𝗖). We fill the critical gap where healthcare providers and workplaces lack time or resources to address stress, burnout, and lifestyle changes.

We work post-diagnosis and proactively to prevent illness, especially for busy professionals under stress.

𝗪𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵:

• Healthcare providers to support patients in building sustainable healthy habits

• Corporate teams and professionals navigating rising stress and burnout

NBC-HWC coaches are rigorously trained experts certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and serve as:

• Sources of evidence-based health information
• Trusted accountability partners
• Behavior change specialists
• Knowledgeable health advocates

𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Seek a board certified health coach (NBC-HWC) who can collaborate with you creating healthier habits, shifting your mental models and stories, and regulating your nervous system and stress response. 

If you work in HR, what signs of burnout do you see most often? Let’s make this conversation visible. Learn more about this style of Coaching  or connect with me here! 

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