Signs of Burnout at Work: What to Look Out For

It’s Monday morning and you are already exhausted before you even start work. You feel mentally checked out of the tasks you fear are waiting in your email inbox. Even when you eventually log in, everything takes twice as long as it should… Sound familiar? 

Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterised by three dimensions 

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and

• Reduced professional efficacy.

The above definition comes from the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). ICD-11 classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon– a condition that relates to work– rather than as a medical condition. Thinking about burnout in a work specific context is interesting because you may have heard people describe feeling ‘burned out’ in relation to other, non-work aspects of their life. There is a range of research that interrogates this, some of which demonstrates associations between burnout and non-work factors. Importantly, even when thinking about burnout in an occupational context we must remember that work may not always be formal, employed or even paid work (for example there are almost 6 million unpaid carers in the UK).

The early warning signs of Burnout

The ICD-11 definition of burnout is clear: work-related stress is a prerequisite to burnout. Therefore, signs of work-related stress should always be a warning of the risk of burnout to follow if not addressed. Work-related stress is an adverse reaction experienced by workers under excessive pressure. We know that work-related stress can evolve as a consequence of a demand/ resource mismatch, workplace relationships under strain and a number of other factors. If an organisation truly wants to stay ahead of burnout, they have to be on the case detecting and addressing risk factors for work-related stress. 

Burnout does not happen overnight. It creeps in, meaning there is opportunity to identify and address the risk factors at play. Symptoms include persistent fatigue, lack of motivation around work, with negativity and cynicism towards work in its place. This is often associated with reduced workplace efficacy or performance. 

Burnout can lead to other changes in mental state, including anxiety and low mood. All of this can contribute to behaviour changes- both in work and outside of work. Behaviour change can take many forms, from becoming more withdrawn to irritability. Sometimes, we notice behaviour changes in ourselves. Other times, changes in our behaviour are clearer to people around us. Likewise, we may notice friends, family and colleagues are exhibiting signs of burnout before they notice these signs themselves. 

What to do if you are experiencing burnout

Identifying burnout is an essential first step. Noticing that work-related stress is ongoing and having a pervasive and significant effect on your mental state and functioning is not always easy when you are in it. 

In an occupational context, raising the issue of burnout in the workplace is the only way to make work sustainable. This is because of the work-related causes of burnout. There is only so much an individual can do without the organisation playing its part in addressing the causal factors. Needless to say, it is challenging speaking up. Occupational health is a great asset to organisations and workforces in this regard, as a neutral, professional and evidence based forum for support. Burnout affects an individual’s productivity at work. This is why it is in the organisation’s interest to address it too. 

As well addressing the workplace triggers, people experiencing burnout may require psychological support. In cases where anxiety or depression are also present, medication treatment may also be helpful to explore. Where the effects of burnout are relatively contained, tools like coaching can be used to help individuals optimise their own behaviours and attitudes towards work, for example, identifying and implementing boundaries. 

In summary

Burnout is a real and serious issue. But recognising the signs early can enable early intervention, making all the difference.