Workplace burnout is a condition that results from prolonged stress, fatigue, and negativity at work. Workplace burnout differs from "casual burnout," which can be managed with work breaks, weekends, and time off. Burnout in the workplace is more concerning and detrimental to one's mental health and the ability to do their job effectively. Though workplace burnout proves to be a common condition for employees of all ages, positions, and tenures, there are ways for both employees and employers to recover from and prevent it.
Characteristics of Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout comprises three main components: fatigue, cynicism, and inefficiency. It's essential to be aware of these behaviors in yourself and your colleagues, as they impact workplace culture, attitude, and productivity.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the most prominent symptom of burnout. This includes not only extensive physical exhaustion, but also cognitive and emotional deterioration. Fatigue can be caused by excessive work hours, an intense workload, a lack of control over tasks, last-minute requests, and other stressors. This kind of exhaustion causes the inability to concentrate and makes simple tasks seem overly difficult. Fatigue also makes it harder for employees to come into the office everyday, which can lead to absences at work.
Cynicism
In terms of workplace burnout, cynicism refers to a lack of engagement. Rather than feeling excited and embracing new projects, colleagues, and clients, cynicism evokes feelings of pessimism, apathy, and even anger. Cynicism in the workplace leads to noticeable irritability and simply not caring about coworkers and the work that's being done. This jeopardizes workplace culture, company values, and often reflects in projects, meetings, and overall morale.
Incompetence
Constant exhaustion and negativity often lead to feeling ineffective or feeling as though one doesn't possess the skillset to do their job successfully. This manifestation of burnout feels as though one is losing their skills and adequacy in their position, which can result in further stress and inability to get work done properly and promptly. Individuals who experience work incompetence often feel as though they lack the support, skills, and time to be able to do their work, which can deteriorate work quality and relationships with coworkers.
Why does workplace burnout prevention matter?
Both employers and employees reap the consequences of workplace burnout. According to the American Heart Association, 82% of employees say they at least sometimes feel burned out in their professional role. In turn, workplace stress can result in up to $190 billion in healthcare costs each year and is linked to higher absenteeism and job dissatisfaction.
Burnout can negatively impact an employee’s mental and physical health, along with the health of the company that employs them. Workplace burnout can lead to depression, insomnia, heart disease, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and various other psychological and physiological ailments.
Workplace burnout can also affect employers and companies, causing absenteeism, poor morale, decreased performance quality, employee turnover, and more.
Ways to prevent and recover from burnout
In order to prevent burning out, it’s essential to find a work-life balance that works for your personal needs, health, and schedule. There are several ways for employers to avoid burnout or, if you’re currently an employee experiencing burnout, to recover from it.
For Employers
Regularly assess workloads
Constant, intense workloads are often a key factor in workplace burnout. Supervisors must ensure that employees aren’t tasked with unreasonable workloads and demanding schedules. While it’s nearly impossible to prevent workloads from spiking on some occasions, constant, unrelenting tasks may lead to stress and absences. Employers should make time each week to check in with their employees about workload, tasks, and other responsibilities. If necessary or possible, discuss a plan to lessen the workload, divide up tasks, or prolong deadlines.
Enforce management training
Unsatisfactory pay is no longer the leading reason why employees leave their jobs. Poor company leadership or dissatisfaction with one's manager has grown to be the main cause of termination of employment. Unprepared and under-trained managers can increase employee stress, potentially leading to workplace burnout and employee turnover. Organizations must ensure that supervisors are given proper and constant training management tools and skills - including providing feedback, communication skills, recognition, and task assignment.
Prioritize workplace wellness
To help manage stress in the office, ensuring a quiet space for employees to unplug, meditate, pray or relax for a few minutes is crucial. Additionally, adding some comforting components to the workplace, such as plants, comfy chairs, and art can help the environment seem less stressful. In times of high tension and intense workload, encouraging employees to take a mental health day can also be beneficial.
Additional Resources
If you're an employer looking for ways to prevent burnout and retain employees, review our free checklist of tips to improve employee engagement and workplace culture.
For Employees
Self-care
There are multiple changes you can make to your everyday routine that improve self-care and your overall value of life. Prioritizing good sleep habits, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and maintaining social relationships can all contribute to a healthy mind and body. To add an extra boost of relaxation to your routine, try incorporating practices such as meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature.
Set boundaries
Setting appropriate boundaries is imperative for both employers and employees in the workplace. Every individual and organization possess different needs and responsibilities and openly communicating expectations leads to less stress and better relationships, which in turn prevents burnout for all parties. Every working individual should allow themselves permission to truly unplug from work for reasonable periods of time to recharge and replenish energy.
Prioritize relationships
Healthy relationships between coworkers, friends, leadership, and family alleviates workplace stress. Spending too much time alone, in and out of the office, increases feelings of resentment, incompetence, and loneliness. Setting aside time outside of the office to converse and spend time with friends and family helps recharge for the following workday or work week. In turn, spending time working on projects, taking breaks for discussion, and supporting colleagues increases morale and quality in the office.
Additional resources
If you’re an employee currently experiencing burnout and need ideas on where to start improving work-life balance, review our actionable steps checklist to begin progressing toward a healthier you, both personally and professionally.
At Palmer Group, our mission is to make lives better. Our human resources consulting solutions provide guidance and strategies that support teams, reduce burnout, and strengthen workplace culture, helping organizations create environments where employees feel valued, energized, and equipped to thrive. Contact us if you’d like to be connected with one of our employment experts to learn more.