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Lead Occupational Therapist & Director, Health Hub Professionals NI

Region: Northern Ireland | Website | LinkedIn | [email protected]

Karen was interviewed for Resource Guru’s Burnout Risk Index as part of the State of (Over)working 2025 Report.

🔍 Quotes & Commentary

Q1 — Why does Northern Ireland rank high for burnout risk?

I think that the administrative overload and long waiting lists have been tackled with arbitrary systems so that clinicians do not get to be a part of, and take ownership of, solutions that could help. Additionally, the managers that are in roles with power do not effectively manage the clinicians that they are responsible for in a team—the people who work hard and carry the system are rewarded with more work, while those who do the bare minimum are rewarded with being left alone.

Q2 — Which local stat concerns you most, and why?

Working during annual leave—this should be protected time to reset and recharge.

Q3 — What impact is this level of overwork having on employees?

There is no value put on the qualities and skills that we are trained to provide—if there is no enjoyment in our work, then why are we spending so much time doing it?

Q4 — Why should employers in Northern Ireland care, and what could it mean for business?

There are so many people leaving to work across the border and worldwide for better working conditions and quality of life that the problem will only continue to get worse, with worse work overload and fewer therapists.

Q5 — What practical steps can businesses take now?

• Give therapists flexibility to vary their hours and manage work-life balance.
• Include clinicians in decisions on caseloads and waiting lists.

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