Workplace Burnout: Building Awareness and Prevention

Feeling stressed at work? You’re not alone. A study by the American Institute of Stress states:

• 83% of American workers suffer from work-related stress.
• Approximately one million Americans miss work every day due to stress.
• 76% of American workers say that work stress affects their personal relationships

High levels of stress in the workplace can lead to burnout that affects everyone.

What is burnout syndrome at work?

Workplace burnout syndrome is an increase in a person’s low mood and apathy toward what they do. Underlying depression and anxiety increase a person’s chances of experiencing burnout, but a person doesn’t necessarily have to have either to suffer from burnout.

A burned individual is:

• Less committed and less effective
• Experience less enjoyment or job satisfaction
• Taking longer to do things at work
• You may feel less tolerant in the workplace.

The person suffering from burnout may feel guilty. The goal is often to help the person behave differently, when a variety of factors cause burnout.

Burnout is a state of exhaustion. People find it difficult to access innovative ideas and often isolate themselves. They may feel fatigued. There is a heightened sense of hopelessness, helplessness, and sadness. They lack the ability to be empathetic and caring. They spend a lot of time and energy thinking about the negative or stressful events of the day. They find no joy in their work.

People use the term “burnout” in different ways. Someone might say, “I feel incredibly exhausted today.” That’s not to minimize your experience. You’ve probably had a rough day and feel exhausted. What we’re talking about is something more long-lasting. It’s when someone repeatedly feels exhausted at work and doesn’t take care of their own needs. They focus on just getting through the day and putting one foot in front of the other.

What causes burnout?

In the workplace, there are a number of factors that lead to burnout – the feeling of not being in control. Unrealistic expectations are placed on the employee, which cannot be met, and the result is that the employee feels overwhelmed. Often, there is a process in place that makes it difficult for the employee to do his or her job in a way that does not cause stress, anxiety and burnout. The job has become too difficult or even unhealthy.

Additionally, people may feel disconnected from their “why”—why they went into their work. That can start the process of burnout. It’s a gradual process of becoming more and more disconnected. The result is losing sight of why you live and your values. “Moral injury” contributes to burnout. It occurs when people have to make decisions or do things that go against their personal ethics or morals. An example is when doctors have to make decisions based on insurance reimbursement rates, or are told they need to see patients every 15 minutes. This goes against the reason they went into that field.

Another contributing factor is the experience of oppression and microaggressions. If you work in an environment that is unsupportive or, worse, hostile toward a component of your identity, that is going to increase feelings of fatigue and burnout. If I already have the stressors related to working in a helping profession, have colleagues who are also burned out and patients with high rates of trauma, and my opinion is not valued, I am often talked over, my name is not pronounced correctly, and my pronouns are not respected, I will most likely reach a state of burnout even faster.

Are there some jobs that are more prone to burnout?

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are at increased risk for burnout, which impacts the care they provide to patients and their entire team.

People who work in the helping field are frequently emptying their cups to help other people. There has been a huge move toward trauma-informed care, which recognizes the presence and role of trauma in a person’s life. When we are trauma-informed, we need to be aware of how we care for ourselves. Otherwise, we can be open to all the difficult things someone brings with them. We can experience and internalize certain levels of trauma. Holding trauma in the body affects the sense of well-being and leads to a higher rate of burnout.

Why is burnout syndrome important in the workplace?

Burnout affects how people do their jobs. It affects them outside of work, too. People who feel exhausted are less effective and less satisfied with everything they do. Burnout can lead to depression, even suicidal ideation, which medical professionals are susceptible to. If people have underlying depression and anxiety, workplace burnout can make it worse and harder to treat. We offer therapy and medication, but if the work environment remains toxic and unhelpful, it’s harder for treatments to be effective. If something is happening at work or at home, it’s important that we can identify it and help the patient through it.

Burnout can lead to more complaints and incidents in the workplace. They are exhausted. They are not as attentive to the needs of others or as observant. They are much more likely to respond in ways that are not as warm and caring as they should be. They are also much more likely to leave the workplace.

If your colleagues are suffering from burnout or compassion fatigue, it’s a challenge. It’s hard to stay in a place of balance and compassionate resilience. We can all empathize with that. When you’re surrounded by colleagues who are super exhausted, it affects everyone’s morale.

Even if burned out employees don’t leave, they will be less productive, less likely to meet company parameters and less likely to contribute creatively to initiatives.

How to address burnout in the workplace

There are several steps you can take if you feel exhausted:

1. Identify what you’re feeling. A person who feels exhausted is often the last to admit it. If you have underlying depression or anxiety and it’s getting worse, be sure to seek additional treatment.
2. Pay attention to the comments your friends and family make.
3. Identify what contributes to feelings of fatigue or exhaustion.
4. Take some time off work if you can. Take a vacation, a long weekend, or a day off.
5. Make time for enjoyable activities. Walk the dog outside for a longer period on a nice day. Read a book for a while. Allow yourself a couple of extra hours of sleep at night. Pleasurable activities, even small things, help recharge and replenish us.
6. Experiment with fun activities. Try doing what other people find fun.
7. Think about what helps you feel resilient. What can you do to minimize what triggers your fatigue? Or what things can you do more of to strengthen your resilience?
8. Think about what is within your control. How can you minimize the amount of time and energy you spend on things you don’t control? A change of perspective can be powerful and helpful.
9. Find allies at work. Consider reaching out to people within your team or in other departments. Share your concerns.
10. Consider changing jobs. You may need something different. While not everything that causes feelings of burnout can be changed, some things can. A supervisor can identify ways to eliminate or minimize those things that contribute to burnout. If you don’t see things changing at your current workplace, it may be best to look for something new.