As we close 2025, one of the conversations we’re seeing more of is transparency surrounding how we work. Whether remote or in-office, we’re all feeling the effects. This brings in the irony as Glassdoor revealed “fatigue” as the word of the year. The term “fatigue” saw a 41% spike in mentions across Glassdoor Community, capturing the sentiment that defined workplace conversations all year long. When we asked professionals in the spring, “Do you feel like events in the news are draining your energy at work?” 78% said yes.
The Glassdoor study reveals that fatigue reveals itself in several forms, including physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. According to the study, Research from Gallup shows that talking politics at work is a double-edged sword, yet conversations around the political climate still find their way into work chatter. For example, mentions of “inauguration” increased by 875% year-over-year. Other political mentions showed that even workers who preferred to avoid the topic found themselves pulled into discussions.
Fatigue is not only about feeling tired; it impacts job satisfaction, employee retention, and overall workplace culture. As employees grapple with prolonged fatigue, another factor included in the study is the use of AI. The rapid acceleration of AI in the workplace created new anxieties. Mentions of “agentic” skyrocketed 2,244% year-over-year as workers grappled with how to stay relevant. Meanwhile, frustration with the job search hit new heights, with professionals expressing job-search overwhelm and job-security fears time and time again.
The recognition of fatigue as the word of the year from Glassdoor serves as a call to action for leaders and HR professionals to prioritize employee well-being. The Glassdoor study spotlights a critical issue that resonates with many people today. Fatigue is more than just a buzzword; it embodies a pressing challenge that requires collective awareness and action. To manage burnout, organizational psychologist Adam Grant advises, “Instead of letting work dictate our lives, it might be time to start fitting our jobs into our lives.”
Source – https://www.ebony.com/glassdoor-fatigue-word-of-the-year-2025-workplace-burnout/