New report says burnout now treated as an 'operational priority'
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a strong factor that influences the mental health of Australian employees, according to a new report.
Robert Half's latest findings revealed that the adoption and exploration of AI tools is both contributing to (22%) and easing (26%) burnout among Australian business leaders.
Nearly a quarter of Australian leaders (24%) also believe that AI adoption and exploration is a factor contributing to the burnout of their employees.
Previous research has touted AI as a way to reduce workplace burnout because of its potential to ease employees' workload and help them save time.
But Robert Half's latest poll reveals the pitfalls of adopting AI when it comes to mental health.
Almost one in four (23%) business leaders also said the pressure to innovate and adapt rapidly, such as on digital and AI transformation, is contributing to their employees' burnout.
"One of the most fascinating insights is how AI can both contribute to and ease burnout," said Nicole Gorton, director at Robert Half, in a statement.
"While adoption can be taxing at first, leaders who harness it for efficiency are finding it helps reduce their own workload and stress."
Burnout in Australia
Burnout refers to the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion felt by employees because of excessive demands in the workplace.
Data from the 2025 TELUS Mental Health Barometer showed that 61% of Australian employees feel somewhat or extremely burnt out.
More than a quarter of them (27%) cited high workload as the leading source of burnout, similar to what 35% of business leaders in the Robert Half report said.
According to the Robert Half poll, other factors contributing to the burnout of business leaders include an insufficient number of staff (20%), toxic organisational culture (20%), and global economic and geopolitical volatility (20%).
For their staff, leaders in the report believe that the leading contributors to their burnout are:
- Heavy workloads (39%)
- Lack of communication and support from managers (24%)
- Commuting to the office (23%)
Addressing burnout in workplaces
Gorton stated that strategic talent management and empathetic leadership are needed to reduce burnout in workplaces.
This year, 40% of organisations said they provided greater schedule and workplace flexibility to alleviate burnout this year. In addition, others said they:
- Encouraged staff to take time off (36%)
- Provided help to prioritise projects (36%)
- Delegated responsibilities to other team members (32%)
- Hired extra staff to alleviate workloads (34%)
"Burnout is no longer flying under the radar. Businesses are finally treating it as a leadership and operational priority, not just an HR concern," Gorton said.
"Companies that prioritise adequate resourcing, flexibility, and clear direction will not only ease pressure but also get a more engaged workforce and gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent."
