More and more, it feels like annual leave is becoming a fleeting respite from Britain’s increasingly demanding work culture.

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Late August routinely brings with it the familiar post-holiday slump: the Sunday scaries, overflowing inboxes, and a grim realisation that you’re now likely working flat out until Christmas. For many, the anxiety begins even before the holiday ends.

Research by Reed found that 85% of workers are “burnt out and exhausted”, placing the blame on the effects of reduced workforces and increased deadline pressures.

The consequences of burnout are far-reaching, though in recent years it’s been increasingly associated with “quiet quitting” - a phenomenon whereby employees reject extra tasks or unpaid overtime. Instead, they choose to do only the basic duties listed in their job contract.

If a week away feels like a necessary lifeline, and returning to the 9-to-5 feels immediately exhausting, it’s an indication that modern workplaces are out of step with their workforce and not doing enough to look after their people. So instead of wondering what’s wrong with workers, employers should first ask what’s wrong with work.

First off, when it comes to burnout, it isn’t just based on workload, it’s also very much about........

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