Job Burnout: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

17 of November, 2022

The efficiency of a company’s employees greatly affects its productivity. The more productive they are at their jobs, the more successful the business is bound to be. Job burnout reduces this productivity and thus should be identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, preventing job burnout, identifying symptoms when they present themselves, and treating them is a relatively simple affair.

In this article, we will be providing you with all you need to know about handling this thief of employee productivity.

Job Burnout Signs and Symptoms

Identifying signs of job burnout can be a little tricky. While these symptoms always present themselves, they can be easily overlooked and chucked out as symptoms of some other issue. If left unattended, however, these symptoms often lead to more serious problems. 

Below are some of the main job burnout symptoms to look out for:

• Increasing feelings of exhaustion and energy depletion during or after work
• Reduced efficiency in assigned tasks
• Increasing lack of interest and motivation
• Lack of concentration
• Depression

As stated earlier, these are all symptoms that could be associated with other problems aside from job burnout. If  you are observing the symptoms above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have more bad days than good days at work?
• Do I find myself getting increasingly irritable both in and out of work?
• Does the thought of getting back to work make me feel depressed?
• Are these feelings I never used to have until recently?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then chances are, you are starting to experience job burnout.

Factors Contributing to Job Burnout

Job burnout is when you experience at least one of the following reasons:

• Having a heavy workload
• Working long hours and don’t get enough rest
• Dealing with a stressful/hostile work environment
• Not achieving a work-life balance
• Work is getting monotonous and boring

How to Handle Job Burnout

Are you or your employees experiencing job burnout? Here are a few steps you can take to fix the problem:

Identify the Cause

The first step to fixing any issue is identifying the problem. Job burnout is no different. Before anything else, identify the cause of the discomfort.

Did you suddenly take on a new role? Are you working more hours? Is your new boss giving you trouble? Did you take on new tasks/responsibilities you are having trouble handling?

Finding the source of the problem is the first step to fixing it.

Evaluate Your Options

Once you can identify the source of the issue, take into account the options you have available to you. Weigh your options properly and consider the consequences of each one before making any decisions. 

Don’t Keep It To Yourself

Sometimes, all it takes to make things better is to simply speak up. Don’t keep the fact that you are having trouble with work to yourself. Speak up and the solutions you need might just find you. 

When speaking up though, you want to make sure you are speaking to the right people. Your supervisor is the best person to discuss things with. Trusted co-workers are also a great option.

Not only could speaking with these individuals reveal potential solutions you might not have known about, but it is also bound to reduce stress at work.

Rest and Relax More

Rest is an important treatment for any type of burnout. It is one you’d want to consider here too. Ensure to get as much rest as possible when away from work.

Spend your time away from work doing more relaxing and enjoyable activities instead of obsessing over work. This would not only help lift some of the pent-up stress but also put you in a better mood for the next day at work.

Conclusion

Job burnout is a real problem for both employees and businesses. It not only makes the experience hell for employees but also reduces the productivity of the business as a whole. Looking to prevent employee job burnout altogether?

Our Employee Survey Software is a great tool for monitoring employee performance, satisfaction, and stress levels, helping you anticipate these types of situations. Keep an eye on Sesame HR to know everything related to human resources.