Anger and Burnout at Work: What the Data Says and When Therapy Helps

Are you snapping at coworkers more than usual? Do you feel exhausted before the workday even begins? Are you wondering whether this is everyday stress—or something more serious? 

If so, you’re not alone. Workplace anger and burnout are increasing across industries, and research shows they are closely linked. What may start as chronic stress can gradually evolve into emotional exhaustion, irritability, and detachment from your job. 

This guide focuses on what the research says about workplace anger and burnout—how they’re connected, why they happen, and when therapy may be a helpful next step. 

What the Data Says About Anger and Burnout at Work 

Burnout is Becoming Common  

The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon characterized by emotional exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism toward one’s job, and reduced professional effectiveness. 

And the numbers show this is not rare. 

In 2025, a national survey by Robert Half found that 36 percent of U.S. employees reported feeling burned out, and one in three said their burnout had increased compared to the previous year. Heavy workloads and lack of managerial support were among the top causes. 

Another 2025 workforce survey by Eagle Hill Consulting revealed that 55 percent of U.S. workers are currently experiencing burnout. Those reporting burnout were significantly more likely to say it harms their job performance and were nearly three times more likely to consider leaving their organization. 

Globally, the trend is similar. 

A 2024 Boston Consulting Group survey of 11,000 workers across eight countries found that 48% reported symptoms consistent with burnout. Even in high-stress public sectors, the numbers are equally concerning. A 2024 systematic review analyzing more than 215,000 public health workers found that approximately 39% experienced burnout related to chronic occupational stress. 

This is important because burnout is not simply “feeling tired.” It is sustained emotional depletion. It shows up as difficulty concentrating, loss of motivation, detachment from work, and reduced productivity. An employee may work the same hours but feel disconnected and ineffective. That shift reflects burnout, not laziness or lack of commitment. 

Anger Is Often a Surface Symptom 

So where does anger fit in? 

Research consistently links chronic stress to emotional dysregulation. When stress remains high over time, the body stays in a prolonged fight-or-flight state. That affects mood, patience, and impulse control. 

According to the American Psychological Association’s Work in America survey, 77 percent of workers reported experiencing work-related stress recently, and 19 percent said they felt irritable or angry with coworkers or customers. 

That irritability is not random. It often reflects reduced emotional capacity. When someone is emotionally exhausted, small stressors feel bigger. Feedback feels sharper. Interruptions feel intrusive. Deadlines feel overwhelming. 

Anger in the workplace may appear as short responses, visible frustration, withdrawal, or conflict. But underneath, the data often points to exhaustion and a perceived loss of control. 

Anger and Burnout Reinforce Each Other 

Burnout and anger rarely operate in isolation. They feed each other. 

When emotional exhaustion rises, tolerance drops. Lower tolerance increases workplace conflict. Conflict adds stress. More stress deepens burnout. 

This cycle is not theoretical. Research shows burnout is associated with higher workplace tension, reduced collaboration, and greater turnover intent. Employees experiencing burnout are significantly more likely to disengage or consider leaving their jobs. 

Imagine an employee working extended hours without recovery. They receive constructive feedback. In a rested state, they might process it calmly. In a burned-out state, the same feedback can trigger a sharp reaction. The reaction is not about the feedback itself. It reflects accumulated strain. 

The data makes one thing clear: workplace anger often signals something deeper. It may be the visible tip of chronic stress and burnout that has gone unaddressed for too long. 

When Therapy Becomes a Helpful Step 

Burnout and anger at work do not disappear just because you tell yourself to “handle it.” If stress feels constant and your reactions feel bigger than the situation, that is usually a sign your nervous system is overloaded. This is where therapy consultation becomes important.  

You may benefit from support if you notice: