A special characteristic of work-related stress called job burnout is a state of physical or emotional tiredness that also includes a sense of reduced or decreased accomplishment and a loss of one's sense of self. Some specialists believe that depression and other disorders may bring burnout. Researchers have stated that the person's experiences of job burnout usually depend on his personality and family circumstances.

What is workplace burnout?

Employee burnout is a lack of passion for work, particularly when previous efforts have failed in the past and the person is not able to meet expectations. Gift cards paid time off, and care packages are only temporary fixes offered by the employer. The employee may decide to leave the organization if management does not take action to address the cause of their burnout. Temporary solutions will not help if the employee is experiencing physical or mental health issues at work that are keeping them from being engaged in their work. Learn more about Coping up with Stress at Work, at TalktoAngel No1 EAP Service Provider in India.

Risk factors of workplace burnout

Some factors which contribute to workplace burnout are:

• You put in a lot of effort in your job and work till late in the office.
• You are not able to balance your family and work together.
• You are working in a field that needs a lot of effort like healthcare providers.
• You feel that you don't have much or any influence on your work.

Consequences of workplace burnout

Job burnout can have serious implications if ignored or left untreated. They are:

• Excessive anxiety
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Anger, sadness, or irritation
• Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
• Heart condition
• Elevated blood pressure
• Diabetes type 2
• Availability to diseases

Signs and symptoms of job burnout

Physical signs of job burnout are:

1. Body aches

The state of our thinking is always communicated to us clearly by our bodies. For example, persons who are easily stressed and angry may get severe stomach pains when taking an exam or when they participate in a job interview. Imagine experiencing it every day as you enter the office. Some workers go through this when they feel burnout. Other physical signs may include headaches, frequent bowel movements, or muscle aches and fatigue. Be careful and alert for employees who frequently become sick or experience chronic body pain.

2. Sleeping issues

Physical signs of depression due to workplace issues might include having trouble falling asleep, having difficulty staying asleep, or, on contrary, sleeping more than the person used to sleep.  In other words, changes or modifications in your sleep habits may result from anxiety, stress, and depression. Some people struggle to fall asleep and wake up frequently throughout the night because they are unable to turn off their thoughts. They are unable to relax or stop worrying about work-related issues. 

3. Feeling fatigued

We all have times in our lives when we are more tired out than other times. There are times when a large project comes that demands a lot of effort. Then, feeling exhausted and tired is very normal. However, it can also be a sign of professional burnout when a team member develops a consistent lack of energy for no clear or known cause. It might be a good idea to see whether everything is okay when one of your coworkers seems to be low in energy.

4. Ignoring personal needs

Workplace burnout can result in a lack of drive and self-love. Having some time off for personal requirements is even more important in these situations. Spending some time cooking, playing sports, taking walks, or engaging in hobbies like painting, for example, could be helpful. People who have depression typically overlook their own needs. As soon as possible, this chain needs to be avoided or stopped.

5. Irritability and impatience

Professional burnout has an effect on how your staff members feel and relate to one another. Their patience fades away as they fear more about their work. They could overreact to small remarks or actions performed by their coworkers. Examine the root of the problem if you notice any signs of irritability in your team members.

6. Lack of focus

When our thoughts are rushing, it can be quite difficult to remain attentive and focused. Positive attitudes impact our performance. Being focused and holding a viewpoint might be tough for people to do when they are going through a trying time in their lives. We can be more productive and efficient by focusing, which frees up time for other responsibilities. However, a lack of focus might lead to reduced performance.

7. Lack of motivation

Employees that are satisfied and happy tend to be enthusiastic about their work and motivated and complete projects on time. However, the effects of burnout are comparable to those of depressive moods. One of them is that people lose interest and motivation. When your staff pushes themselves through the day, declines to take on new tasks, do the minimum necessary, and stays away from workplace social activities, something needs to be done. 

Are you aware, if you are suffering from workplace stress?, and How to manage Work “boreout”

Employees who are burned out become disconnected and lose interest in their jobs. These employees won't be productive at work, and their emotional and physical health will decline and degrade. Due to decreased productivity, poor performance, higher healthcare costs, and high turnover rates, employee burnout is harmful to an organization's reputation or brand. 

If you are looking for a "Psychologist near me" or the Best Therapist in India for Online Counselling, contact TalktoAngel, Asia's leading mental health platform and Best EAP Service Provider in India.

The compassionate leadership engages, the best EAP service provider in India, to mitigate the challenges of workplace burnout and have the better engagement of workers for increasing productivity.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, &Life Coach & Dr. Sakshi Kochhar