Overview
The alarm clock blares, your body feels heavy, your mind foggy. A wearying sigh escapes your lips as the thought of another workday dawns upon you. Burnout, a silent epidemic, is sapping the energy and creativity of millions of employees. This pervasive issue not only drains individual well-being but also jeopardizes corporate success. Feeling lifeless and disengaged? Read on to build yourself a better immune system against burnout.
What is Burnout?
The term “burnout” was first coined in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger. He defined it as a state of emotional exhaustion and reduced motivation, often occurring when one’s dedication to a cause or goal fails to yield the desired results[1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s a job-related phenomenon attributable to the prolonged imbalance between job demands (e.g., workload pressure) and job resources (e.g., supportive work relationships)[2]. Additionally, personal traits and past work experience could also contribute to burnout[3].
Burnout manifests in three primary dimensions: emotional exhaustion, characterized by feelings of energy depletion and fatigue; cynicism, marked by a detached and negative attitude toward work; and reduced professional efficacy, involving a diminished sense of competence and accomplishment[4]. While not a formal medical condition[5], burnout can have profound negative consequences for both mental and physical health.
How Prevalent Is Burnout?
Have you ever worked tirelessly on a passion project, driven by pure enthusiasm? If so, you’re fortunate. Regrettably, many employees worldwide face immense pressure to work long hours, often leading to burnout.
While extreme cases like “Karoshi” in Japan, where workers tragically collapse or commit suicide due to overwork, may be less common elsewhere, burnout remains a significant global issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem. To illustrate the extent of burnout, consider the following statistics:
- SHRM Survey[6]: 44% of US employees feel burned out, 45% emotionally drained, and 51% used up.
- McKinsey Survey[7]: 1 in 4 global employees experience burnout symptoms.
- BCG Survey[8]: Nearly half of desk-based and frontline workers in 8 countries are burned out.
- Indeed Survey[9]: 52% of respondents feel burned out, and 67% believe it’s worsened since the pandemic.
These figures underscore the urgent need to address burnout and prioritize employee well-being.
Burnout-stricken Industries Under Siege
You might think everyone’s feeling the burn these days, but some jobs are really tough on people. Certain industries, especially those with high-pressure environments, demanding workloads, and emotional strain, are particularly vulnerable to burnout. Let’s dive into the sectors that are feeling the heat.
- Healthcare. Demanding workloads, long hours, and bureaucratic tasks contribute to high burnout rates among healthcare professionals. A 2024 Medscape report found that nearly half of physicians experienced burnout[10].
- Finance and Insurance. High-pressure environments, complex workloads, and emotional toll make this sector prone to burnout. A Ringover survey revealed that more than 80% of workers in this sector are affected[11].
- Hospitality. Demanding schedules, customer expectations, and high-pressure environments contribute to high burnout rates in the hospitality industry. Approximately 80% of workers report feeling burned out[12].
- Information Publishing and Telecommunications. Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and rapid technological changes put significant stress on workers in this sector. A Ringover survey indicated that more than 80% of workers experience burnout.
- Public Sector. Bureaucratic challenges, resource limitations, and high-stress levels contribute to burnout among public sector workers. A Ringover survey found that around 80% of public sector workers exhibit burnout symptoms.
- Education. Workers in this sector often face high levels of burnout due to unmanageable workloads, accountability pressures, and emotional demands from students. More than 80% of educators, according to a Ringover survey, report feeling stressed.
Is Burnout Creeping Up on You? Here Are the Warning Signs
To combat the debilitating effects of burnout, it’s essential to recognize its early signs. As the Mayo Clinic notes, these symptoms surface both physically and emotionally.
Physical Symptoms
When you’re burned out, your body will send you clear signals in the form of physical discomfort. These may include:
- Low Energy Levels. Reduced productivity can be a significant indicator.
- Disrupted Sleep Patterns. Insomnia and other sleep disturbances can further deplete energy and concentration.
- Unexplained Physical Ailments. Headaches, digestive issues, and other physical symptoms can exacerbate feelings of stress and fatigue.
Emotional Symptoms
In addition to the physical toll it takes, burnout can also significantly impact your emotional well-being. Here are some common emotional symptoms:
- Cynicism. You may develop a more critical and negative attitude toward your work and colleagues.
- Irritability. You may become easily irritated and impatient with coworkers, customers, or clients.
- Difficulty Concentrating. You may struggle to focus on tasks, make decisions, or remember details.
- Substance Use. As a coping mechanism, you may turn to food, drugs, or alcohol to alleviate stress and discomfort.
Misaligned Employer and Employee Expectations Fuel Burnout
Workplace burnout is a growing concern, as evidenced by the WHO’s inclusion of “burnout” as an occupational phenomenon in the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision) in 2019[13]. Both employers and employees need to collaborate to address the issue. However, evidence shows that there is a perception gap between the two parties regarding the problem of burnout in the workplace.
According to the 2024-2025 Aflac Workforces Report, more than half of US workers are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout. However, fewer than half (45%) of employers recognize it as a problem within their organizations[14]. A recent Harris Poll survey reveals a similar disconnect between employers and employees with 89% of employers saying their employees are thriving compared to the actual thriving figure of 24%[15].
So, what’s the issue? When employers perceive burnout as an individual problem, they often miss the root causes and provide employees with personal “band-aid” solutions, such as yoga and meditation, that can do more harm than good[16]. In fact, although building individual adaptability and resilience skills can be beneficial, they cannot replace the need for addressing the broader workplace environment.
Strategies to Help You Conquer Burnout and Reclaim Your Life
In response to the workplace burnout problem, both employers and employees need to collaborate and take a comprehensive approach to deal with the root causes.
Employer’s Strategies
- Meaningful Work. Help employees connect with the purpose and impact of their work by providing professional development opportunities, mentorship, and involvement in projects aligned with their interests.
- Teamwork & Support. Foster strong team bonds, cultivate open communication between managers and employees, and encourage mutual support from managers to employees and among employees themselves.
- Leadership Commitment. Senior leaders should acknowledge and address burnout by fostering a supportive community. This includes promoting flexibility, fairness, and intrinsic rewards, as well as encouraging management partnerships.
- Empower Managers. Train managers in effective communication, support, workload management, and review job descriptions to prioritize people needs.
- Select Great Managers. Develop a system for identifying and selecting managers with strong leadership skills and a people-first approach.
Employee’s Strategies
- Proactive Role Shaping. Take charge of your job to enhance its meaning and fulfillment. Regularly seek guidance and feedback from your supervisor, engage in open discussions about your workload, build a supportive network by connecting with colleagues, and learn to say “no” when you’re feeling overloaded.
- Work-life Balance. Establish a clear distinction between work and personal time, even if you’re working from home. Take regular breaks, turn off work notifications after hours, and allocate time for social connections with friends and family to recharge.
- Focus on Well-being. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you need support with stress or mental well-being. Incorporate relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or journaling into your routine.
- Open Communication. Foster transparent communication with your manager regarding your workload and any challenges you face. Share your concerns openly and don’t hesitate to seek support and assistance when needed.
By implementing these strategies, both employers and employees can work together to create a healthier, more productive, and fulfilling work environment, significantly reducing the risk of burnout.
Final Thoughts
The widespread impact of burnout on millions of workers demands immediate attention. Recognizing early symptoms is the first step, but lasting solutions require a collaborative effort between employers and employees. A truly thriving workforce values well-being as much as productivity. This mentality helps cultivate workplaces where everyone can flourish rather than merely survive.
Sources:
- Scott, E. (2024, June 12). Stress and burnout: Symptoms and causes. Verywell Mind. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from: https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-burnout-symptoms-and-causes-3144516
- McKinsey Health Institute. (2022, May 27). Addressing employee burnout: Are you solving the right problem? Retrieved November 6, 2024, from McKinsey & Company website: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/addressing-employee-burnout-are-you-solving-the-right-problem
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024). Know the signs of job burnout. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from Mayo Clinic website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642
- American Psychological Association. (2023, May 12). Employers need to focus on workplace burnout: Here’s why. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.apa.org website: https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/workplace-burnout
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024). Know the signs of job burnout. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from Mayo Clinic website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642
- Gonzales, M. (2024). Here’s How Bad Burnout Has Become at Work. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from Shrm.org website: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-diversity/burnout-shrm-research-2024
- What is burnout? (2023, August 14). Retrieved November 7, 2024, from McKinsey & Company website: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-burnout
- Novacek, G., Lovich, D., May, G., Wool, H., Rathi, R., & Farsky, M. (2024, June 11). Four Keys to Boosting Inclusion and Beating Burnout. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from BCG Global website: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/four-keys-to-boosting-inclusion-and-beating-burnout
- Threlkeld, K. (2021, March 11). Employee Burnout Report: COVID-19’s Impact and 3 Strategies to Curb It. Retrieved from www.indeed.com website: https://www.indeed.com/lead/preventing-employee-burnout-report
- Southwick, R. (2024, January 25). Nearly half of doctors report burnout, but there is some progress, survey finds. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from OncLive website: https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/nearly-half-of-doctors-report-burnout-but-there-is-some-progress-survey-finds
- Fitzpatrick, K. (2023, July 19). The Worst Industries for Burnout. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from Ringover website: https://www.ringover.com/blog/worst-industries-for-burnout
- Workforce.com. (2023). Retrieved November 8, 2024, from Workforce.com website: https://workforce.com/news/statistics-on-employee-burnout
- World Health Organization. (2019, May 28). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from Who.int website: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
- Owenby, M. (2023, April 10). A new survey highlights the gap between employee burnout and company awareness. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from Yahoo Tech website: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/survey-highlights-gap-between-employee-153400475.html
- The Grossman Group and The Harris Poll. (2024, April 16). Employees and Managers Are Burned Out and Checked Out: New Research Points to What They Need to Thrive. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from Prnewswire.com website: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/employees-and-managers-are-burned-out-and-checked-out-new-research-points-to-what-they-need-to-thrive-302117703.html