Filipinos face burnout amid raket culture, hyper-digital era of AI

Burnout is increasingly surfacing among Filipino workers as side hustles become a financial lifeline and digital work expands beyond office hours, according to a Business Inquirer report that cited survey findings and expert commentary on work strain in an AI-accelerated economy.

The report described a convergence of pressures: employees taking on “raket” work to supplement income, always-on connectivity that blurs boundaries between work and rest, and rising expectations to keep up with new tools and workflows shaped by artificial intelligence. The result, the article said, is a growing toll on mental health and day-to-day productivity.

Raket culture meets an always-on workplace

The report framed “raket” culture as a response to persistent cost pressures and the desire for added financial security. Many workers, it noted, now juggle primary jobs with freelance projects, online selling, part-time gigs, or other income streams, extending the workday well into nights and weekends.

At the same time, work has become more digitally intensive. Messaging apps, collaboration platforms, and remote or hybrid arrangements can improve flexibility, but they also encourage continuous availability. The article pointed to the way notifications, shifting deadlines, and expectations for quick responses can erode downtime, making recovery harder even when formal work hours end.

AI-driven change adds speed and uncertainty

Beyond longer hours, the report said workers are also contending with rapid technological change. AI tools are being introduced across functions—such as content production, customer support, data processing, and administrative work—creating new performance expectations and, for some, anxiety about job stability and skills relevance.

The article noted that AI can boost output, but it can also compress timelines and increase monitoring and benchmarking. Workers may feel compelled to learn new systems quickly while still meeting existing targets, a combination that can intensify fatigue and heighten the risk of burnout when paired with side hustles.

Signals and impacts on health and productivity

Business Inquirer cited statistics from surveys and research referenced in the article indicating a significant share of Filipino workers reporting symptoms consistent with burnout, including chronic exhaustion, reduced motivation, and difficulty focusing. The report linked these outcomes to long working hours, limited rest, and the psychological strain of constant connectivity and financial pressure.

Experts quoted in the report associated burnout with measurable workplace costs: lower productivity, reduced quality of work, increased errors, and higher turnover risk. The article also highlighted how prolonged stress can worsen mental health, contributing to anxiety and depressive symptoms, and can spill into personal life through irritability, sleep disruption, and strained relationships.

Key drivers identified in the report

While the causes vary by worker and sector, the report pointed to recurring drivers behind the surge in burnout complaints. These include economic factors pushing workers to seek supplemental income, organizational cultures that reward constant availability, and the rapid pace of digital transformation that demands continuous adaptation.

The report also described how the modern work environment can encourage multitasking across multiple roles and platforms—switching between a main job, side gigs, and training or upskilling—leaving little time for recovery. In an AI-driven environment, the pressure to remain competitive can further intensify the tendency to overwork.

The pressures cited in the report were often most visible among:

• Workers balancing full-time employment with freelance or gig work
• Roles with constant client or customer interaction and tight response times
• Teams undergoing rapid digital and AI workflow changes
• Employees in remote or hybrid setups with blurred work-life boundaries

What experts recommend to reduce burnout risk

The report relayed expert recommendations focused on boundary-setting, workload management, and organizational support. It emphasized that individual coping strategies—such as protecting rest time and limiting after-hours work when possible—are important, but may not be sufficient if workplace demands remain unchecked.

On the employer side, the article cited proposals such as clearer expectations for response times, more realistic targets, and stronger support for mental health. It also underscored the need for training and change management when introducing new AI tools, so workers are not forced to absorb unfamiliar systems on top of already-heavy workloads.

Business implications as burnout becomes a workplace risk

The report positioned burnout not only as a personal health issue but also as a business risk that can affect continuity and performance. Persistent fatigue can reduce innovation and engagement, undermine service quality, and make it harder for companies to retain skilled workers—particularly in roles where digital and AI proficiency is increasingly valued.

In the longer term, the article suggested that the most resilient organizations may be those that treat AI as a tool to redesign work sustainably rather than simply accelerate output. That includes aligning technology rollouts with staffing, training, and policies that preserve recovery time and reduce the incentive for constant overextension driven by raket culture.

Disclaimer: This article is a factual newsroom summary based on a Business Inquirer report and cited expert commentary. It does not provide medical or legal advice.