Executives in Canada’s public service complained in an internal survey that they were exhausted and cynical about their work conditions.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the study found that 76% of managers at government departments said they were overworked.
“Seventy-six percent show high levels of exhaustion,” said the Executive Work And Health Study. “Thirty-nine percent report high levels of cynicism.”
Analysts described how executives who can earn on average $134,000 a year were “bruised, weary and looking for relief.”
“One may describe executives as having weathered the storm of the pandemic,” researchers wrote.
Additionally, managers complained that they were not being recognized for their work.
“Executives indicate they are not being recognized for the level of effort and contribution they are putting forward. It should be underscored reward is not limited to compensation,” the report explained.
48% of the 8,200 federal executives polled also said their average work day was stressful.
“They are fatigued and struggling to recover, mindful of the new challenges facing the federal government such as emerging fiscal pressures, climate shifts and reconciliation,” the report said.
“Executives reported very high levels of pride in their work, 88 percent, and a firm dedication to serving Canadians but the long hours and impacts of virtual work have increased the extent of diminished energy and burnout across the breadth of the executive community.”
In April, the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada revealed it was working with Liberal Treasury Board President Mona Fortier to boost the salaries and improve the working conditions for federal executives.
Additionally, the number of executives working for the federal government has ballooned over the course of the pandemic by 21%.
