Burnout: Drivers second only to healthcare workers

They are absolutely essential to the proper functioning of society. They handle or transport products that can kill or save lives. A mistake made in the course of their work can be fatal for them and others. All of this causes enormous stress.

These statements apply equally to healthcare workers and drivers in the trucking industry. No wonder professional drivers (carrying goods and people) rank second in prevalence of burnout, behind healthcare workers.

This is revealed by a study conducted by Mental Health Research Canada with more than 5,500 workers in different sectors of activity in the country in December 2021. While the average burnout rate is 35% for all professions, it reaches 40% in the transport sector, behind the health sector which ranks first at 53%. The finance, legal and insurance sector is at 39%, education and childcare at 38% and first responders at 36%.

The study took into account a multitude of factors with respect to how employees feel at work, such as engagement, recognition, workload and safety.

Mary Ann Baynton, Executive Director, Strategies and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, called the number of workers experiencing burnout “alarming”.

” It’s not surprising. We find ourselves once again in times of extreme uncertainty, as the pandemic brings us through a new series of ups and downs. Levels of anxiety and exhaustion are reaching new heights for many of us,” says Baynton.

The study also found that few Canadians feel they receive an adequate level of support from their employer. Only one-third of respondents indicated that their company is committed to providing a low-stress work environment.

“In the context of the pandemic, it is more important than ever for employers to consider new leadership approaches to help employees most at risk of suffering burnout. If they don’t, the repercussions can be far-reaching,” said Michael Cooper, Vice-President, Mental Health Research Canada.

Free resources and tools for employers are available at click here.

Signs and symptoms

Although the signs and symptoms can vary, burnout is often characterized by fatigue, cynicism, negativity, and reduced work efficiency.

The situation is more common among people who set high expectations, receive unreasonable demands, or feel their efforts are not appreciated. Although not in itself a mental illness, burnout (or burnout) can lead to weakening and be long-lasting. This is why professionals in the field favor prevention and mitigation strategies.

Transport specifics

Transport Routier obtained a copy of the study and we noted certain passages which relate specifically to the transport industry (once again, the researchers focused on the profession of driver only).

For example, it reads that “The transportation sector is the least positive of all sectors for all psychological health and safety parameters. »

The paper further highlights that policies aimed at addressing COVID-19 concerns are less likely to have been implemented in the transportation industry, as well as in smaller organizations. The larger the company, the less likely workers are to have had a say in this, the researchers add.

In terms of the level of commitment to their company, only 49% of drivers in the transport sector said they were proud of the work they do and 45% said they were dedicated to the success of their organization. In both cases, these rates are described as “considerably lower than two other standard deviations”.

On the other hand, only 35% of drivers consider that their work environment adequately manages situations where customers behave inappropriately towards them.

On the positive side, more than half (62%) of drivers feel that people from all backgrounds are treated fairly in their work environment and almost half (47%) say they work in environments where people treat each other with respect and consideration.

However, communication could be improved since barely 58% of drivers respond positively to the question “At work, I know what is expected of me”. Moreover, only 35% of drivers surveyed say they are quickly informed of major changes that occur in the workplace.

The feeling of safety at work is also a concern, as 46% of drivers say they have the equipment and tools needed to do their job safely.

Finally, 41% believe that their employer provides sufficient training to contribute to their physical safety at work.

You can consult the French version of the study in click here.

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