A report on the mental health of HR professionals has found that almost nine in ten (87 percent) do not feel sufficiently supported at work.
On top of this, 63 percent of HR professionals are ‘very likely’ to experience burnout, while a further 15 percent are ‘at risk’ of burnout, the data showed.
The research, detailed in ‘The HR Mental Wellbeing Report’, a joint venture between Towergate Employee Benefits and Ultimate Resilience, surveyed 1,400 HR professionals in February and March 2025.
It shows that nearly eight in ten people working in HR are “on the edge of being able to continue”. Researchers said that employers “must take heed of this unambiguous message, HR professionals need support and they need it now”.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits, said: “HR professionals face huge challenges, from managing redundancies to leading culture change and supporting others in crisis. With all this to contend with, often on decreasing budgets, it is not surprising that burnout is rife. However, it should be borne in mind that it is easier and cheaper to provide prevention rather than cure for burnout. Employers need to take action to ensure that HR receives the support it needs and doesn’t reach the critical stage.”
The impact of increasing workplace challenges is clear as 42 percent of respondents said they are considering leaving the HR profession. The report said that if people from this business critical function are leaving the company, then there are major concerns employers need to tackle.
Researchers highlighted the clear link between dissatisfaction in the role and poor wellbeing, with low levels of wellbeing reported by 67 percent of HR professionals. The report said that employers need to greatly improve wellbeing to retain HR people.
Further data in the report shows that 44 percent of HR have clinically significant symptoms of depression, compared with 16 percent of the general population. The report’s authors said these people need support from a qualified mental health professional and trained counsellors. This could be provided through employee benefits.
Poor mental health was found to be widespread, with 73 percent of respondents reporting symptoms of low mood and depression.
Fifty-nine percent said they feel bad about themselves and 57 percent feel down, depressed or hopeless.
Clark said: “We hope that this report will lead to more support for the 87 percent of HR professionals who feel it is lacking and who are the backbone of support for all other employees in a business. It must not be a one-way approach, and businesses must make sure that the HR function can continue to do just that – function.”
She added: “HR professionals are implementing wellbeing strategies for employees all the time, yet only 13 percent of respondents say they feel ‘very’ supported in relation to their own mental health and wellbeing. It is vital that HR professionals are encouraged to ‘put on their own oxygen mask first’. If the support team is not supported, then the whole structure will collapse. But the support is available, HR just needs to put itself first for once.”
Last week separate research showed that HR and accounting professionals have the highest absenteeism rates across all industries, with a Bradford Factor (BF) of 113. Gen Z HR workers were found to be struggling the most, with the data revealing this group have a BF score of 185.
Any score over 100 indicates a pattern of frequent absences, and could require further action from an employer. A score of 185 is considered high risk and indicates there may be underlying wellbeing or engagement concerns.
For more on the health and wellbeing of HR professionals and how to protect this business critical group of employees, listen to our recent podcast ‘Wellbeing: HR is supporting everyone, but who’s supporting HR?’
