Work-related burnout among retail workers is at crisis point, a new survey by music licensing company PPL PRS has found, with almost a third (30%) of employees in the sector experiencing it in the last six months.
The survey of over 750 retail workers in the UK found that the main contributors to burnout at work were heavy workloads (53%), long working hours (45%) and unrealistic expectations (36%).
Workers surveyed said that burnout impacted their work life with feelings of frustration (50%), feeling unproductive (47%) and feeling undervalued (41%). Burnout also impacted their personal lives, as more than half (52%) reported anxiety and an inability to relax (51%), while two-fifths (41% reported trouble sleeping as a result.
The survey from PPL PRS also revealed the methods that retail workers turn to when experiencing burnout. Music was cited as the number one choice by over a third (38%). Other methods include spending time with friends and family (28%) and prioritising rest (27%).
Donna Gutteridge, Culture & Service Lead at retailer Oliver Bonas, says: "Whilst retail can be a rewarding industry to work in, it can also be a challenging one. With long hours on your feet, dealing with customers and targets to hit, burnout can soon creep in.
"It's important for retail workers to take a real break – not just five minutes to eat a quick sandwich – so you can recharge properly. If you're always on-the-go, you'll end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The fact that 38% of retail workers turn to music to cope with burnout is unsurprising. Hearing your favourite song playing in store is such a mood boost and, in general, creates a fun, relaxing atmosphere to work in.
"Ultimately, the key is catching burnout early and creating an environment where team members feel safe and supported enough to say, 'I'm struggling'."
Marianne Rizkallah, music therapist for PPL PRS, explains why music can help alleviate a sense of stress or burnout in the workplace. She says, "It's no secret that music is the key to helping many of us unlock our productivity and feel more focused. It can also help us when we're feeling unmotivated, stuck, or stressed.
"In the workplace, we don't often consider the soundtrack we have and will usually be so focused on tasks that music blends into the background. Yet considering how music can leave us feeling positive, less stressed and happier, it's no wonder that the music we hear at work should also be doing that too.
"A silent office can seem intimidating, making it harder for people to speak up or to ask for help. Yet equally working with a booming soundtrack can be distracting and hard for concentration, so it's important to find a happy medium. This might involve letting employees take turns in what is played or agreeing on a calm playlist that makes the workplace a productive place to be."