Scotland’s Non-Profit Leaders Burnt Out & Looking to Leave their Roles
New Report Highlights the Toll the Pandemic Has Taken on Voluntary Sector
144 voluntary sector CEO’s and senior leaders filled out the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO) Wellbeing, Succession and Diversity survey.
Key findings from this snapshot of Scotland’s sector leaders showed a huge disparity in feelings of wellbeing within work and outside of it. 86% rated their wellbeing outside of work as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, but this dropped by a third to 52% when in relation to work. 43% described their work wellbeing as ‘poor’, whereas only 14% gave this rating outside of work.
39% of leaders highlighted that they had felt the need to take time off for stress and burnout within the last year but didn’t feel able to do so, with an additional 13% taking the time off.
Many leaders receive little support in their role other than ‘regular contact with their board’ (69%) and an ‘annual appraisal’ (52%). Professional support networks like ACOSVO and having a mentor were highlighted by 54% and 33% of respondents as a source of support, with ‘time’ selected by 43% as being the biggest hurdle to getting the support they need.
More than half of respondents (53%) said they wanted to leave their role in the next 5 years, with 71% of this group looking to leave in less than 2.
The biggest reason for wanting to leave was not retirement (chosen by only 15% and unlike the results of ACOSVO’s 2017 succession survey where this was chosen by 30% of leaders) but for ‘a new career in the sector’ chosen by 50%. Further comments highlight that it’s not necessarily the sector itself that is the issue but the high-level demands on the leader that are pushing many to want to reduce hours, levels of responsibility, and pressure.
Lastly, the survey highlights a real lack of diversity in the sector’s leadership with the majority of responders being white (96%), heterosexual (84%), women (80%), aged 50-59, without a disability (43% and 89% respectively). The caring responsibilities somewhat paint a different picture with over half (54%) responding that they have some form of caring responsibilities alongside being a sector leader.
Overall, the report highlights some very worrying stats about the lack of support and expectations on those at the top. Many leaders in Scotland feel they are having to choose between their leadership positions and their healthy work/life balance and wellbeing. It also highlights that there could be a very real and sizeable gap in leadership over the coming years if those who are looking to leave their roles follow through and there is no leadership pipeline or succession plan in place.
The fact that this data, or similar reports like the Ecclesiastical study that showed almost half of charity leaders are considering leaving their roles due to burnout, don’t make these positions look particularly appealing to those on the rise, will not be helping fill this potential gap in leadership either.
ACOSVO Chief Executive, Pat Armstrong OBE said: “This report is a stark reminder of the toll recent times has taken on our leaders health and wellbeing. Perhaps this is to be expected, when leaders have not only risen to the challenge, but done amazingly well against unforeseen circumstances.
Organisations like ACOSVO are vital in times of crisis and bring leaders together to share, learn, support each other and think about their own leadership development. But it also reminds us that that the sector and its leaders need to be understood, valued and supported to avoid burnout and gaps in the leadership pipeline. We also need to support and encourage the next generation of leaders to ensure they are eager and willing to take the helm. Without this, the sector, its leaders, and society, will suffer.”
Read the full report here.
