The year 2025 has been a rollercoaster, and Glassdoor's Word of the Year perfectly captures the collective sentiment. Brace yourself for a deep dive into the reasons behind this choice and why it resonates so deeply with many of us.
The Great Exhaustion: A Year of Fatigue
As we bid farewell to 2025, it's evident that the year has left its mark on us all. Glassdoor, a platform that connects job seekers and employees, has declared 'fatigue' as its Word of the Year, and it's a choice that hits close to home.
But here's where it gets controversial: is 'fatigue' an accurate representation of the year's events, or is it an overly negative perspective?
Let's explore the factors that led to this word choice and decide for ourselves.
A Perfect Storm of Stressors
The year 2025 was a whirlwind of technological advancements, job market uncertainties, and a growing cost-of-living crisis. It's no wonder that Glassdoor's community saw a 41% increase in the use of the word 'fatigue'.
Current events played a significant role in this collective exhaustion. A survey conducted by Glassdoor revealed that 78% of American employees felt their energy drained by news events at work. With political discussions becoming more prevalent in the workplace, it's no surprise that the complicated political climate left us all feeling worn out.
Economic Worries and Job Insecurity
Economic concerns were at the forefront of people's minds. Stagflation, a term used to describe a combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation, was mentioned three times more on Glassdoor in 2025 compared to the previous year. Many Glassdoor users expressed frustration over small raises that couldn't keep up with rising costs.
And this is the part most people miss: the year 2025 saw a staggering number of layoffs. With a total of 1.17 million layoffs reported by CNBC, it was the highest since the COVID pandemic. Glassdoor users shared their fears of job security and the overwhelming job search process.
The Rise of AI and Its Impact
AI was a prominent topic in 2025, and its rapid progress left many feeling overwhelmed. An employee at PWC expressed their concerns, stating, "Things are moving too fast, and there's so much uncertainty." The use of the term 'agentic', a new form of AI technology, increased by a staggering 2,244% on Glassdoor during the year.
The World Economic Forum predicts that 92 million jobs could be replaced by AI by 2030, which is a valid reason for concern.
The Great Exhaustion: A Profound Label
Computer science professor Cal Newport coined the term 'The Great Exhaustion' to describe the era we're living in. Burnout coach Emily Ballesteros highlighted three key factors contributing to this exhaustion: unsustainable lifestyles, exposure to uncontrollable stress, and financial insecurity.
So, is 'fatigue' an appropriate word to sum up 2025? Or is it an overreaction to a challenging year?
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
