Managers Are Burning Out—And It’s Costing You Billions

Let’s not sugarcoat this: your managers are drowning.

They’re juggling hybrid work policies, retention goals, onboarding chaos, economic landmines, and now… AI everything. Oh, and they’re supposed to do it with a smile, a fully optimized tech stack, and a LinkedIn post about culture every other Tuesday.

According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report, global manager engagement just took a nosedive—from 30% to 27%. That’s not just a stat—it’s a signal flare.

Now zoom in on this part:
- Young managers (under 35) saw a 5-point drop in engagement.
- Female managers? A brutal 7-point drop.
- And all of it is quietly draining $438 billion in productivity worldwide.

That’s billion. With a “B.”
All because your people leaders—the ones who make or break your culture—are running on fumes.

Why does this matter to HR and TA?
Because managers are your first recruiters. When they’re engaged, they drive performance, team morale, and yes—better hiring. But when they’re burned out? Interviews get delayed. Candidates feel the vibe. Culture takes a hit. Momentum slows.

And here’s the kicker: many orgs are still treating manager support like it’s a quarterly webinar and a stress ball. That’s not a solution—it’s a shrug.

So what now?
- Give them real training—on coaching, not just compliance.
- Normalize manager mental health check-ins.
- Actually listen to the feedback you ask them for.
- Stop stacking admin work on their shoulders like Jenga blocks.

It’s time we stopped looking at managers as middlemen and started treating them like the high-leverage catalysts they are.

Let’s talk: What’s actually working for your managers right now? Drop your real-deal strategies (or vent sessions) in the comments.

And if you’re serious about supporting them, don’t overlook referrals. When managers are engaged, they naturally become your best advocates for great talent. Platforms like ERIN make it easy for them to refer, track, and support hiring—without adding to their already overloaded plates.