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Employers already faced significant challenges in addressing employees’ mental health issues, but the rapid pace of workplace transformation seen throughout 2026 seems all but certain to further intensify a thunderous storm.
Recent surveys of workers have borne out those concerns. The first quarter of the year marked a 65% increase in burnout reported by Glassdoor users compared to the same point in 2025. A separate May report by Monster found that 59% of employee respondents said their job actively hurts their mental health.
It’s not hard to identify culprits, according to sources who spoke with HR Dive. At the top of the list sits artificial intelligence, a technology that is often haphazardly integrated into organizational processes and has led to fears of displacement and skill erosion.
