Recognizing and Addressing Workplace Burnout
- Jennie Ward
- Feb 5
- 2 min read
by Jennie Ward, HR Consultant, ACMHC-E
Imagine it’s Sunday evening, and you are mentally preparing for the week ahead. How do you feel about going to work on Monday morning? Are you energized and ready to tackle new challenges, or do you feel a sense of dread and anxiety? If it’s the latter, you might be experiencing burnout.
Signs of burnout include:
Loss of energy to the point of exhaustion
Loss of enthusiasm to the point of absolute indifference
Passion is replaced by cynicism
Complete lack of confidence that your work is having a positive impact
The cost of burnout is significant. A recent Forbes report found that in the US, 28% of employees have experienced burnout to some extent, while as many as 57% have been affected by negative stress at work.
The American Psychological Association (APA) also highlights the risks:
Burnout increases workplace absences of two weeks or more by 57%.
Burnout raises the risk of developing depression by 180% and type 2 diabetes by 84%.
Burnout raises the risk of hypertension by 40%.
These alarming statistics emphasize the growing need for employers to reduce workplace stress and improve mental health resources.
Workplace burnout expert, Christina Maslach, stresses the importance of shifting the focus from who is burning out to why they are burning out:
“It is not enough to simply focus on the worker who is having a problem – there must be a recognition of the surrounding job conditions that are the sources of the problem. That is why the job-person relationship is so important. Is there a good match between the worker and the workplace environment, which enables the worker to thrive and do well?”
What Can Employers Do?
Monitor workloads to prevent excessive stress
Regularly check in with employees
Foster a culture that encourages taking time off and prioritizing mental and physical health
Provide employees with the tools and flexibility they need to succeed
Encourage positive relationships between coworkers
At Impact HR Group, we specialize in helping organizations implement effective programs to reduce workplace burnout. Contact us to discuss how we can support your team's well-being.
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