Manager burnout a growing concern, warns AFP
The Association of Fleet Professionals has warned the industry that burnout among managers is becoming a growing concern.
It has found that the challenge of coping with a rapidly changing sector in increasingly difficult trading conditions is leading to extreme stress and even breakdowns.
Pressure is being exacerbated the higher value companies are placing on their fleets as they seek to manage costs while also meeting stricter sustainability targets. Managers of fleets of all sizes are being impacted, according to the AFP.
Lorna McAtear, deputy chair at the industry body, said: “In the 2020s, we’ve seen much increased recognition of the importance of fleet managers within corporate structures as a result of everything from our role in coping with the pandemic through to electrification. On the whole this has been a highly positive development.
“However, many fleet managers find themselves in a position where ever-greater demands are being placed on them as a result of the higher profile that fleet now enjoys, without necessarily being given much in the way of additional resources, whether that means more staff or investments in areas such as technology.
“The results are all too predictable and, if you get a number of fleet managers in a room, discussions about extreme stress and burnout are increasingly common. Many feel there hasn’t been a pause in dealing with major developments since Covid and the latest pressure to reduce costs in the face of the economic impact of the war in Iran seems like a crisis too far.”
Long-term impacts
McAtear concluded: “The bottom line is that there are no easy solutions to this issue but knowing that many others face similar problems and hearing about steps they have taken which proved effective has genuine value.
“However, if you really feel that you are burnt out, you should seek medical advice. Stress can have very real long-term impacts on your health and recovery often takes time.”
