BURNOUT

So, What Is Burnout & Why Does It Happen?

Before we consider possible causes let’s understand what Burnout is.

Defining burnout

The WHO (2019) defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

What do the Stats tell us?

Individuals who report experiencing burnout are:

63% more likely to take a sick day

23% more likely to visit their GP

Employees experiencing regular burnout are also less likely to perform well. For example,

They are less likely to approach their manager about how to improve their performance.

They’re 13% less confident in their job performance.

They’re almost three times more likely to leave their jobs.

How common is Burnout? 

In a 2020 survey, Gallup reported that when asked how often participants experienced Burnout:

48% answered sometimes.

21% answered always.

Causes of Burnout

Burnout can occur for several reasons, but factors contributing to work-related stress include:

Unrealistic work expectations

This could include an unmanageable workload, resulting in multi-tasking, unrealistic deadlines, and unrealistic time pressure.

Micromanagement

When employees feel like they have no control over their environment, tasks, or time they are more likely to experience burnout.

Poor instructions

This can include poorly defined tasks or unclear communication from employers/managers.

Lack of support and unfair treatment

Employees who feel that their managers do not support them or treat them unfairly are at a higher risk of burnout.

What are the Symptoms of Burnout

💠Exhaustion

💠Frequent headaches

💠Gut problems

💠Disturbed sleep

💠Shortness of breath

This can lead to behavioural change including:

💠Irritability

💠Heightened emotional responses (quick to cry, quick to anger)

💠Suspicion and paranoia about colleagues

💠Stubbornness, and an unwillingness to listen to other people.

💠Negative attitude

💠Depression

Whatever your role in an organisation how much of this do you see in your everyday working life?

Perhaps also ask yourself how much do you contribute to this.

At times we do things a particular way either because that’s how we were taught to do them, or because they have always been done that way.

How often do you question whether it can be done differently and better?

Coaching can help you get a different perspective and to think differently about the way you approach tasks, manage your team, and manage yourself.

If you would like to discuss strategies for managing stress for you, or your business, then get in touch, let’s work through an approach that gets those stats down.

#preventburnout #mentalhealthawarenessweek #coaching #theleapcoaching