A Mixed Method Analysis of Burnout and Turnover Intentions among Higher Education Professionals during COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly and dramatically altered higher education, including changes to the workplace. Many staff and faculty positions were eliminated, while other employees experienced furloughs or reduced work hours. This study examines the experiences of 1080 higher education professionals from 830 institutions of higher education in the United States serving in various functional roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. We utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design to examine quantitative and qualitative survey data from October 2020 to understand how jobs in higher education changed during the pandemic and how these changes were associated with individuals’ burnout and intention to leave higher education. Using multiple regression and thematic analysis and the job demands and resources framework, we find that higher education professionals who experienced significant disruption in their work had increased odds of experiencing burnout. We also find that eliminating staff positions and significant levels of burnout were associated with increased intentions to leave their current profession in higher education. In open-ended responses, higher education professionals described how increased job demands through decreased staff and increased workloads were not accompanied with increased resources, leading to burnout. These working conditions negatively affected participants’ personal lives, including their physical and mental health. We conclude with recommendations for research on working conditions in higher education in the pandemic-era and emphasize that institutional leaders should seek systemic changes to support employees.