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In this episode of the JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast, hosts JoDee Curtis and Susan White shine a light on a topic many HR professionals quietly struggle with: burnout in HR. HR is often considered the “caretaker” of the organization—yet who takes care of HR?

JoDee and Susan explore what burnout looks like, why it’s so common in the HR field, the systemic factors that fuel it, and evidence-based strategies to prevent and recover from it. Whether you’re feeling stretched thin or supporting a team that is, this conversation brings practical insights, empathy, and encouragement.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout is an occupational phenomenon rooted in chronic workplace stress, defined by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy.
• HR often absorbs the emotional weight and crisis load of the organization: layoffs, investigations, restructures, compliance issues, and more.
• Common root causes of HR burnout include overwork, understaffing, emotional labor, role sprawl, and the constant awareness of legal and organizational risk.
• Burnout is not about personal weakness—it’s about the system. Leaders and organizations must adjust workloads, expectations, and processes.
• HR pros can prevent burnout by setting boundaries, streamlining and automating tasks, increasing self-service, and creating psychologically safe environments.
• For those already in burnout, tools like asking for help, finding a mentor, using supports, taking real breaks, or even rotating roles can make recovery possible.

Quote of the Episode

“HR are many times viewed as the caretakers of the organization, but yet who takes care of HR?” – JoDee Curtis

Mentioned in this episode

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• ”Burn-out an ‘occupational phenomenon’” – World Health Organization
• ”Poor Leadership, Heavy Workloads Top Contributors for Workplace Burnout, New SHRM Research Finds” – SHRM, May 2025
• ”HR pros are understaffed but still find a way to thrive, per SHRM report” – HR Dive, March 2025
• ”5 findings from Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workforce report” – 5app, June 2024
• ”2024 Work in America Survey: Psychological Safety in the Changing Workplace” – American Psychological Association
• ”Burnout Is About Your Workplace, Not Your People” – Harvard Business Review, December 2019
• ”Beyond Burned Out” – Harvard Business Review, February 2021
• ”AI Trends Heading into 2026: Resume Now’s Year in Review” – Resume Now, November 2025
• SHRM credit evaluation – the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on February 23, 2027
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