Workplace Burnout

Employers Need To Focus On Workplace Burnout: Here’s Why Concrete Ways To Address The Problem With Psychological Science.

American Psychological Association, May 12, 2023

Workplace burnout can be a serious problem for individual workers and entire organizations. The good news is there are ways to get ahead of it and methods to rectify it.

What it is: “Workplace” burnout is an occupation-related syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Burnout can be measured and quantified using validated scientific tools. It involves ongoing emotional exhaustion, psychological distance or negativity, and feelings of inefficacy—all adding up to a state where the job-related stressors are not being effectively managed by the normal rest found in work breaks, weekends, and time off (World Health Organization, 2019).

What it isn’t: This isn’t “burnout” we use in casual conversation. True workplace burnout is specific to one’s job or occupation and is more concerning and detrimental than the daily irritations everyone experiences and most of us manage.

There are three dimensions to workplace burnout:

Feelings of energy depletion or emotional exhaustionIncreased mental distance from one’s work and negative or cynical feelings toward one’s workReduced sense of efficacy at work
Mindy Shoss, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida and associate editor of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, says, “There are many potential causes of burnout in today’s workplaces—excessive workloads, low levels of support, having little say or control over workplace matters, lack of recognition or rewards for one’s efforts, and interpersonally toxic and unfair work environments. Add to that the constant hum of uncertainty about a possible recession, and it’s no surprise that burnout is on the rise in many workplaces.”

Click here for the full article on workplace burnout and how to help from The Amercian Psychological Association.