The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be coming to an end this spring, but recent studies indicate that it may be followed by an epidemic of burnout. Increasingly, more workers are feeling stressed out at work, and an unprecedented number are actually quitting their jobs because of it.
Part of this could be a result of the pandemic itself. Healthcare workers bore the brunt of the stress during the global health crisis, and many workers were driven to the point of exhaustion, putting in long hours in understaffed hospitals.
Hospitality was another hard-hit sector. About 700,000 North American hospitality workers have quit their jobs on average every month over the past year. Tourism and food and beverage industries have, of course, suffered a great deal, and employees have dealt with much uncertainty. At the same time, many businesses struggle to stay alive.
Pre-pandemic hospitality was already known for pushing its employees to work long hours, often for low wages. More recently, lower occupancy rates and reduced revenue combined with employee attrition mean far fewer staff being pushed to cover more ground.
Surveys have shown that dissatisfaction is especially high in service-industry roles, where hybrid work is not possible, and employees rate the hospitality sector as one of the worst for work-life balance. Workers report that dealing with angry customers and enforcing health mandates have not made life easier. Moreover, the uncertainty of shift work and the threat of layoffs can add to this stress.
In parallel, professionals in other fields who transitioned to working from home during the pandemic now feel the pressure of being present in an 'always on' work culture. When you work from home, you're also living at work. If clear boundaries about deliverables and availability aren't set between employee and employer, the situation can lead to stress and burnout.
The team at Deloitte conducted a survey of roughly 1,000 full-time professionals to explore the causes and the impact of employee burnout to provide insight into the strategies for alleviating or preventing the problem. Their research identified three leading causes of people burning out at work.
The three biggest drivers of employee burnout
31% - Lack of recognition or support from leadership.
30% - Unrealistic deadlines or results expectations.
29% - Constantly working long hours and weekends.
These three causes are fairly evenly matched, and they indicate that traditional workplace strategies such as implementing wellness programs and offering 'mental health' days off won't be enough to solve the problem. When employees feel unsupported and overworked, a larger workplace culture problem needs to be addressed.
Let's take a closer look at what burnout is and how you can take steps to avoid it in your workplace.
The dictionary defines burnout as "exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration." The clear reference to a 'prolonged' period of stress is what separates burnout from exhaustion. If you have put in a grueling couple of weeks at work to deliver a major project on time, you may be tired, even worn out at the end of it. But this scenario is a time-limited situation that comes with a sense of accomplishment at the end of it.
Burnout occurs when the work itself seems grueling without end or reward.
Signs and symptoms of burnout
Burning out can take its toll on your physical and mental health. Here are some indicators to look out for that indicate your work situation might be toxic and headed for a breaking point.
- You feel stressed out all the time
- You are exhausted but having trouble sleeping
- You find yourself being much sadder, angrier, or more irritable than usual
- You are self-medicating with alcohol or other substances
- You have lost your motivation at work
If you find that you dread going to work, struggle to get through the day, or your relationships seem to be suffering, you might be facing burnout.
If you don't take some steps to improve the situation, burnout may lead to serious depression. And it can even cause physical and mental illnesses, such as suicide, stroke, or a heart attack.
Strategies for combatting burnout at work
If you spot the signs of a looming burnout, you can take some steps to prevent it before too much damage is done. Here are some tactics to try.
Take some time off. Many people never end up using all of their vacation days each year. You've earned them, so take them, especially if you are in a high-stress work situation where you feel constantly pressured to produce. Taking a vacation can lower your stress levels and help recharge your batteries. You don't have to travel the world; take some time away to completely detach from work to rest up and get back into a healthier frame of mind.
Renegotiate your workload with your employer. Since putting in long hours and facing unrealistic expectations are two of the main causes of burnout, have a conversation with your boss. Having a staff member lose their motivation and suffer health consequences isn't going to do the company any good. Speak with your manager about how you feel and see if you can set more reasonable deliverables for your work within the hours you are expected to put in.
Sleep and exercise. Taking care of your body can go a long way towards improving your mental state as well. Try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can also contribute to your emotional well-being and physical health. When we feel stressed out, we tend to reach for unhealthy comfort foods and other vices, leading to a downward spiral of feeling less well and less like ourselves overall.
Change jobs. Recognize that if you are in a toxic working environment, you may have to change jobs. If the attempt to renegotiate your workload or schedule with your boss goes nowhere and there is no improvement to the working situation that has you burning out in sight, it could be time to make a change. You will be much more successful in a role that you find rewarding, where you are happy. Don't sacrifice your long-term health for a job.
Even the knowledge that you can leave may alleviate your stress levels. When you start looking for other jobs, you will see that there are other options. You're not trapped. In fact, right now is a particularly good time to make that change. Unemployment is at near-historic low levels, and employers are struggling to attract the staff they need. It's a job seeker's market.
Find your next great opportunity on Talent.com today.
