A study found 47 per cent of employees were less career-focused because of the pandemic
(Picture: PA Wire)Nearly half of people care less about their careers since the coronavirus pandemic began, new research has found.
A study conducted by Aviva found 47 per cent of employees were less career-focused because of the pandemic.
"One result of this always-on, ever-present culture is that 40 per cent of employees are concerned about work-related burnout," the insurer said.
Half of people complained that the boundary between work and home had become "increasingly blurred", with around two in five people saying they could never switch off from work.
The impact of that has mainly affected women, with 46 per cent concerned about burnout compared to 35 per cent of men.
Meanwhile, 24 per cent of women said the pandemic had a negative impact on their work-life balance, compared to 16 per cent of men.
Speaking to BBC’s Today programme, Aviva wellbeing lead Debbie Bullock, said the lockdown had "given people pause for thought about where work fits into their lives".
"The pandemic may have been a collective experience, but the impact has been fragmented in so many ways, with women especially facing particularly acute stresses from the blurring of lines between home and work," Ms Bullock said.
She told the broadcaster that it was important for employers to be conscious and respond to the challenges staff are facing and take action to help: "If you don’t make time for wellness you are going to have to potentially make time for illness."
The study comes as people in England prepare to return to offices on July 19 - dubbed as ‘Freedom Day’ - when all remaining restrictions will ease, including working from home guidance.
He told the Telegraph: “I think for young people, especially, that ability to be in your office, be in your workplace and learn from others more directly, is something that’s really important and I look forward to us slowly getting back to that.”
