Mental health and burnout in the tech industry

Tech workers are innovators, and the tech industry offers engaging, stimulating work. At the same time, this may mean a constant need for change, which can be mentally taxing and stressful. Mental health concerns can affect anyone in your team, from employees to managers. Providing appropriate mental health support can help to mitigate the negative effects.

Increased stress levels can lead to more sickness absence, reducing productivity and placing additional pressure on the rest of your team. Stress, depression and anxiety accounted for 22.1 million lost days in 2024/25, more than any other cause. Stress can also become chronic, leading to burnout and potentially resulting in the permanent loss of a valued employee.

Recent research by Bupa and YuLife has found that 41% of tech workers report experiencing burnout at least once a month. Mental health concerns stem from factors related to the nature of the work and the impact of a digital-first work environment.

Employees and managers are both affected. In fact, the responsibilities of leading a team while also keeping pace with change may be a significant cause of burnout in tech leaders. The Bupa and YuLife report of 5,000 tech workers found that 70% of managers had reported experiencing mental health issues in the past year.

Let's consider some of the issues that can lead to mental health challenges.

Blurred boundaries between work and home life

The tech industry has enabled us to embrace new ways of working that have gained popularity in recent years. Remote work is now possible thanks to video conferencing and digital platforms that enable employees and managers to access email and other systems from home. Your team can work from the office, remotely or a mixture of both.

However, this can impact mental health as it blurs the boundaries between work and home life and makes employees feel that they should be available 24/7. A positive work-life balance supports our mental health, but it can be challenging to maintain it when our workstations are accessible around the clock.

Difficulty switching off

We've mentioned the blurred boundaries between work and home and how they can impact work-life balance. These can also make it difficult to switch off from work and take time to relax and recharge. Spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, taking exercise and cooking healthy meals all contribute to good physical and mental health, but they're less likely to have a restorative effect if your employees are wondering whether they should still be logged on or answering emails when they get home from work.

A lack of wind-down time can increase stress levels and affect sleep.

Poor sleep

31% of respondents to the Bupa and YuLife survey reported poor sleep quality. The causes of poor sleep can be complex, occurring as a result of mental health issues and physical illness or being a cause of poor health in itself. When employees experience physical exhaustion due to lack of sleep, it affects every aspect of their health and their ability to work effectively.

Sleep issues can affect an employee's work. They may feel unable to focus, which can reduce productivity and creativity. Poor sleep can also affect mood, making staff more irritable and impacting their workplace relationships. This doesn't just affect their ability to work effectively as part of a team. Good relationships can provide valuable support and prevent burnout and mental health issues from developing.

Physical health issues

Mental health problems and physical health issues can go hand in hand. Some mental health challenges arise due to physical illness, but the reverse can also be true. Working long hours at a desk and using screens also contributes to physical health issues such as tiredness, eye strain, headaches and musculoskeletal problems due to sedentary work.

Physical activity can support good mental health and help avoid many of the potential health issues that desk-based workers face.

Burnout

Burnout can severely impact an employee's ability to work productively. It happens when stress becomes unrelenting and chronic. Some stress can be positive, motivating your team to complete a project or meet deadlines. Long hours and additional effort may be necessary to manage heavy workloads. However, this should be a temporary change and not a permanent way of working.

Long hours without proper breaks can lead to many of the issues we've already discussed, such as difficulty switching off, sleep deprivation, and poor work-life balance. When these become the norm, stress can become chronic and lead to long-term physical and mental health issues. An employee may leave, resulting in the loss of a skilled team member. The worst-case scenario can be that an employee leaves the workforce altogether.

Delayed self-care

When your employees feel stressed and lack a positive work-life balance, it can start to affect their ability to care for their overall well-being. Regular breaks, physical exercise, and a healthy diet can all support good physical and mental health, but these routines can slip when workloads are heavy, and there are insufficient boundaries between work and personal life.

Seeking support for minor concerns or health issues can prevent them from developing into something more serious. However, many tech workers and managers report delaying doctors' appointments and skipping routine health checks.

The good news is that there are many proven strategies to support employee well-being, improve mental health and avoid burnout. It's often best to offer a range of options so that employees can choose the options that best meet their needs. As we'll discuss, a healthy company culture is vital to underpin your efforts. However, your employee benefits package can provide resources that enable staff to tailor their well-being support to their needs. In the survey, 65% of respondents said they would stay with their current employer for good quality employee benefits.

A culture that promotes clear boundaries

Senior leaders set the tone and culture in any company, meaning your managers must lead by example. When managers report feeling stressed and being at high risk of burnout, it can be challenging to break the cycle. However, they must enable staff to take regular breaks, set boundaries and engage in self-care by demonstrating those behaviours themselves.

Management training can help with workload planning and the development of leadership skills. Addressing mental health concerns by talking about their challenges enables employees to do the same. However, other benefits can also provide valuable resources to support good mental health for managers and staff.

Flexible working

Flexible working enables employees to create a positive work-life balance. It can only be an effective method of supporting mental health if flexible working is accompanied by robust boundaries. Employees may ask to work from home or adjust their working hours. However, these measures are only beneficial if staff work only within their scheduled hours.

Consider using flexible working as an opportunity to discuss the importance of work-life balance in conversations with your team or during staff training. This approach can lead to positive change in your office culture by encouraging staff to discuss well-being and seek support.

Health insurance

Investing in group health insurance gives your team quick access to private medical care when needed. It can also provide a range of well-being services and resources to help prevent health issues from developing.

If staff are at high risk of mental health difficulties and burnout, they may need treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist. It's worth considering investing in enhanced mental health coverage, as this provides access to a greater range of treatments.

Most health insurers also provide their business customers with employee health assessments that let you identify health trends and empower your staff to improve their health.

An employee assistance program

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) provide access to counselling services and telephone helplines with guidance on financial and legal matters. Most health insurers offer an EAP via their policies, or you can choose a standalone service.

EAPs provide valuable third-party support, allowing employees to seek confidential advice on issues they'd prefer not to discuss with their managers. They can also enable staff to get early support to prevent issues from worsening.

Mental health resources

As we've seen, self-care can often take a back seat during stressful times. However, providing your team with access to mental health resources can empower them to improve their mental health.

Health insurers typically provide a library of articles and other self-help resources. These can serve as the basis for training sessions, but staff can also explore them based on their interests. You can also build a library of resources by curating articles from respected providers such as the NHS and mental health charities. It's vital you communicate effectively with staff regarding the resources available to encourage them to explore.

Reward schemes

Reward schemes can encourage staff to improve their health. Every health insurance policy includes a member rewards scheme that provides perks and discounts. Some let you earn greater rewards by setting and achieving healthy living goals, which acts as a great incentive. They typically also include discounts on products and services such as gym memberships, fitness trackers and mental health and mindfulness apps.

Well-being challenges

Well-being challenges help your team focus on a specific goal. You can run a team challenge where staff work together, or let individual employees set their own goals and work to reach them. Setting realistic expectations is vital to avoid demoralising staff. If you have health insurance, your provider can usually provide anonymised data from staff health assessments to help you identify areas for improvement. However, you can also create a challenge based on your own research. For example, if you've identified a pattern of employees regularly working into the evening, you can challenge them to finish work on time and award points for every day they do so.

Offering rewards for staff who hit their targets encourages engagement and helps them discover the benefits of developing healthy habits.

Investing in well-being support for your team can help tech workers avoid burnout and ensure your business thrives. At Globacare, we work with our clients to help them find health coverage that meets their needs. Contact us for tailored advice.