Mid-year fatigue is real, but support from employers and proactive steps from employees can help turn things around.

This is according to Karin Mitchelmore, Executive Head of Healthcare Consulting at financial advisory firm NMG Benefits. “We are halfway through the year, and, for many, the early-year energy has given way to fatigue. The end of the year feels far away, and it is taking a toll on employees and employers alike.”

For employers, this toll has a hard cost: In 2023, mental and emotional exhaustion resulting in depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion annually in lost productivity, largely driven by absenteeism and presenteeism.

A relatively new concept, ‘presenteeism’ is when people show up at work but are too stressed, anxious or burned out to be productive. The syndrome is costing South Africa around R235 billion a year – roughly R96,500 per employee; nearly seven times the cost of absenteeism.

Mitchelmore says that employers can do a lot to support their people. “Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are a practical and cost-effective tool that companies can use to address burnout throughout the year, but they work best when they are not just a tick-box initiative. If you want real impact, wellbeing cannot only be talked about during Corporate Wellness Week. It needs to be part of your culture all year round, with protective policies, accessible support systems, and leaders who model healthy behaviours.”

To start with, everyone should know what burnout looks like.

The signs often creep in slowly: fatigue, lack of motivation, constant feelings of stress, brain fog, irritability, working longer hours and getting less done. It is triggered by a combination of factors: juggling work, home, family, and personal needs; financial pressures; deadlines and workload; and the mental load of reflecting on the year so far and realising there is still a long road ahead.

Mitchelmore has some suggestions for those who are feeling the pressure:

Re-align what really matters: Burnout often happens when we are pulled in too many directions, and we lose sight of our ‘why’. Reflecting on your goals – and what gives your work and personal life meaning – can help you prioritise what really deserves your energy.

Rest and boundaries are not luxuries: They are essential for long-term performance. You do not have to solve everything overnight. Claiming small wins each day can help you rebuild your momentum.

Do not suffer in silence: While burnout can feel deeply personal, it is important to recognise that you are not alone – one in three South African employees are struggling alongside you. Burnout is also not a personal failing or weakness, and you do not have to feel guilty about asking for help. Talk honestly to your manager or HR contact about where you are at. The more these conversations are normalised, the more the stigma is removed.

Corporate Wellness Week is a timely reminder to start reflecting, resetting, and taking action. “Whether you are an employer wanting to better support your team, or an employee wanting to take better care of yourself, this is a good time to pause and figure out what you need to get through the year in a healthier, more sustainable way,” says Mitchelmore.