Recognising burnout in the workplace

There is something extremely commendable about a person having a strong work ethic, dedication to their profession and loyalty to their company. But if all that comes at the expense of a person’s health, something needs to change. Whatever your line of work, it’s likely that you will face certain stressors. However a new report published by Mental Health UK indicates many people are feeling more stressed than ever by their jobs, to the point where it is having a serious impact on their physical and mental wellbeing. Read on to find out how the Occupational Health experts at YourGP suggest we tackle this issue.

Modern life is stressful

Technological advances have radically changed the modern workplace. Remote working, video calls and instant messaging have effectively blurred the boundaries of work and personal life for many people and left them with an inability to properly ‘switch off’.

It’s also possible to argue that the concept of overworking has become glamourised, thanks to platforms such as LinkedIn where seemingly inspirational posts about working long hours, juggling roles and refusing to call in sick receive such high levels of engagement.

What’s more, with the cost of living crisis continuing, stagnant wages and job insecurity is leaving many employees feeling the pressure of presenteeism.

The Burnout Report

Earlier this year, Mental Health UK published its official Burnout Report. The report collated the findings of a survey which asked more than 2,000 working adults in the UK about their perceptions of burnout and the factors they believed contribute to it.

The report defines burnout as “A state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It can occur when you experience long-term stress, for example, working a stressful job.” Some of the standout results include:

• 91% of adults in the UK said they experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress at some point in the past year.
• 1 in 5 said they needed to take time off work due to poor mental health caused by pressure or stress.
• Nearly half of workers (49%) said their employer doesn’t have a plan to spot the signs of chronic stress.

Common signs of burnout

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterised by:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
• Reduced professional efficacy

Other associated symptoms include:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Self-doubt
• Procrastination

Why it’s important to recognise and address burnout

The only way to deal with burnout is to address it head-on, it is not something that will goes away on its own. Burnout can be such an all-encompassing physical and mental problem that it has the potential to negatively impact every area of an individual’s life – not just their career, but their home life and relationships too, for example.

5 ways employees can help

All employers have a duty of care to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their employees. It is therefore vital that all team members are trained to recognise the telltale signs of burnout and be proactive about avoiding it.

1. Keep an eye on workloads to ensure they are manageable
2. Have regular catch ups with all employees to assess how they feel about work
3. Keep lines of communication open at all times
4. Promote a healthy work / life balance
5. Create a culture of openness that empowers employees to discuss physical and mental health openly

Speak to the experts

If you would like further information about recognising and avoiding burnout in the workplace, speak to the Occupational Health professionals at YourGP. Simply email occhealth@your.gp and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that works for you.