Mid-Year Wake-Up Call: Spotting and Combating Job Burnout in 2025

As we hit the mid-year mark in June, it’s an ideal moment for companies and professionals across Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) to pause and reflect. With rising workloads and mounting pressure to perform, job burnout is becoming one of the most pressing workplace issues of 2025.

At Reeracoen, a leading recruitment agency in Vietnam and APAC, we believe that sustained productivity begins with employee well-being. This article explores how to spot the signs of burnout and what actions employers and employees can take to combat it - before it leads to long-term consequences.

What Is Job Burnout?

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome stemming from chronic, unmanaged workplace stress. It is not simply feeling tired—it’s a deeper state of physical and emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced performance.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue

• Cynicism or negativity about work

• Lowered efficiency or productivity

• Irritability or trouble concentrating

• Physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia

Burnout by the Numbers

The data paints a worrying picture:

• 66% of employees report experiencing job burnout in 2025—a record high, according to Forbes.

• A NAMI study shows that 52% of workers feel burned out, with 37% saying it negatively affects their performance.

• Millennials and Gen Z are particularly vulnerable, with younger employees reporting higher emotional exhaustion than any previous generation.

Why Burnout Peaks Mid-Year

June marks the halfway point of the year—a period when performance reviews, targets, and deadlines converge. It's also when employees reflect on progress and may feel behind, overwhelmed, or underappreciated. Without timely intervention, this internal pressure can spiral into burnout.

Actionable Strategies for Employers and Employees

For Employers:

• Open Up Conversations: Schedule mid-year check-ins to discuss workloads and emotional well-being.

• Encourage Time Off: Proactively promote the use of leave, especially in fast-paced industries.

• Support Flexibility: Offer remote or hybrid work options where possible to improve work-life balance.

• Invest in Mental Health: Provide access to counselling, mental health days, or wellness initiatives.

For Employees:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Avoid checking work emails outside of office hours.

• Recognize Warning Signs: Track changes in energy, motivation, and emotional state.

• Practice Recovery Rituals: Incorporate breaks, exercise, or mindfulness into your daily routine.

• Ask for Support: Speak to your manager if tasks feel unmanageable—burnout is not a weakness.

Final Thoughts

Burnout doesn’t just impact individuals—it drains team morale, productivity, and retention. By addressing it early and proactively—especially at the mid-year milestone—both employers and employees can build a more sustainable, engaged, and resilient workplace.

Reeracoen is committed to helping companies not only find the right talent but also retain it through meaningful, human-first strategies.

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References

1. World Health Organization – Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon"

2. Forbes – Job Burnout at 66% in 2025, New Study Shows

3. National Alliance on Mental Illness – 2024 Workplace Mental Health Poll

4. Mayo Clinic – Job Burnout: How to Spot It and Take Action