Workplace burnout is a very real thing and if your Vancouver business is not using proper team building techniques, you will notice more burnout throughout your company which will negatively impact your business.
What is workplace burnout?
Workplace burnout is not just the feeling of being stressed at work. If you don’t deal weal with is properly you can start to see signs of physical and mental illness in yourself or members of your staff.
Job burnout is characterized by three main symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of pleasure in doing your job
- Lack of belief or low self esteem in your ability to complete tasks
If you find yourself or others throughout the office feeling these things, you may be suffering from workplace burnout.
What the research says about burnout
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as a “state of vital exhaustion,” which is just the tip of the burnout iceberg. In May 2020, 41 percent of employees surveyed found themselves burned out from the stress of managing work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic — up from a similar study that indicated burnout in about 23 percent of employees just a few months before.
Burnout isn’t just a “pandemic problem,” though. A Deloitte survey in 2015 found that an incredible 77 percent of professionals surveyed said that they had experienced burnout at their current workplace, and 91 percent agreed that having an unmanageable amount of stress “negatively impacts the quality of their work.” Job stress and burnout is estimated to result in nearly 120,000 deaths and almost $190 billion in healthcare costs per year.
Because of the prevalence of burnout and workplace stress, and the profound impact it can have on productivity and health, the WHO expanded their definition of burnout in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases. It’s now recognized as an “occupational phenomenon” that occurs when “chronic workplace stress…has not been successfully managed.”
Types of burnout
Overload burnout
When most people think about being burnt out it is usually due to feeling overloaded at work. It’s continuing to work at an unsustainable pace in pursuit of success, financial security, or recognition.
Under-challenged burnout
Just as a heavy workload can lead to burnout, so can a lack of challenging work. People need to feel stimulated, engaged, and challenged to be satisfied in their careers. People will start to lose interest in their job if they no longer feel passionate about it.
Neglect burnout
Without a sense of purpose at work, people begin to feel helpless. It is difficult for people to stay engaged in their job if they don’t feel like they’re making a difference. If employees the work is too difficult or the work load is too high, they will burn out.
Early signs of burnout
The scientists, Freudenberger and Gail North, that originally identified burnout as a condition, outlined 12 stages of work burnout:
- The compulsion to prove oneself
- Working harder
- Neglecting personal needs
- Displacement of conflict
- Revision of values (work to the exclusion of all else)
- Denial of emerging problems
- Withdrawal (typically accompanied by self-medicating)
- Odd behavioral changes
- Depersonalization (unable to connect with others or one’s own needs)
- Inner emptiness
- Depression
- Burnout syndrome
Just like any other condition, it is essential you catch the signs of burnout early, in order to successfully treat it.
How to treat workplace burnout
Pay attention to your feelings
Emotions are a huge factor and paying attention to these feelings can help you manage resentment, frustration, and disillusionment before they turn into burnout.
Examining Boundaries
Often times when you are overworked you may commit to a certain take without actually thinking about the time and energy they will take to complete. If we feel we have more control over our time and resources, the less likely we begin to feel overwhelmed.
Positive interested outside of work
By definition, burnout is a work related condition – but often times things in your life unrelated to work can contribute to it. You need to find a healthy balance and having positive outlets in your personal life can help you get through the frustrating parts of your job.
Don’t bring the office home
Try to set a schedule or balance with work and personal time, as bringing your work home with you can make you feel overwhelmed. Build physical boundaries like locking your office door or turning off work emails on your mobile device.
Speak to management
Team building is so important for your Vancouver based business, and this includes building relationships with management and being comfortable enough to talk to them when you begin to feel burnt out. You are likely not the only one feeling this way, and expressing these emotions can help to push some change in the office.
In Conclusion
Burnout is a workplace phenomenon, but they can have a very negative effect on your personal and home life, and overall health. Recognizing this early can help prevent it, and if you’re a manager or owner and you are noticing this throughout your office, you may want to look into team building exercises in Vancouver. For more information contact us today!
