Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress that has not been successfully managed.

Burnout is defined by the World Health Organisation as follows:

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualised as 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.

Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

Many of us are navigating a prolonged period of working from home which has meant adapting and adjusting to new working structures and technologies, a loss of connection and natural energy from being around colleagues and changes to the dynamic in working relationships. Underlying this for many is a sense of anticipatory anxiety about exactly when, and what, a return to work will look like.

Working within this context over a long period may promote feelings of vulnerability, leading to individuals overcompensating and working harder and harder, losing their sense of the boundaries between work and home and becoming unable to completely switch off.

Burnout occurs when we forget to take time for ourselves to relax and practice self-care.

There are some tell-tale signs of burnout, Health Assured outline some key changes to look out for in colleagues:

• Sudden change in mood
• Drop in performance levels
• Uncharacteristic behaviour
• Reduced energy and efficiency
• Decreased motivation

Common symptoms are prolonged and include:

Have a Conversation

If you recognise a colleague is displaying symptoms of fatigue or burnout, inviting them to discuss their wellbeing can be a helpful first step. Approach the conversation with understanding and compassion, avoid making assumptions by asking what they need from you so you can provide genuine support and signpost to available resources. If they are feeling vulnerable make sure to tell them what they do well and help them recognise that self-care is not selfish.

If you feel uncomfortable in initiating such a conversation, you may wish to enrol on the ‘How to have a Wellbeing Conversation’ module to get some tips. More information is available here.

Annual Leave

Encourage colleagues to use annual leave to help lessen the risk of burnout and exhaustion. Taking time away from the work environment will help refresh and recharge those individuals who have been stuck indoors with no change of scenery.

Identification and Management of Sources of Stress

If you are responsible for people management, there are a variety of resources available to help support the wellbeing of your staff including:

• The Equality and Wellbeing Risk Assessment: Continuing to Work from Home
• Using the Working from home: Wellness Action Plan as a tool will help you identify how best to support individuals mental health at work. The accompanying Wellness Action Plan Guidance for Managers provides additional support with this.
• HSE Stress Management Competency Indicator Tool for Managers, the aim of this tool is to provide you with space to reflect upon your own behaviour and management style.The tool provides a helpful overview of the behaviours identified as being particularly effective for preventing and reducing stress at work.
• The Manager Guidance on Stress outlines further information on stress indicators and suggested preventative measures.
• The Stress Risk Assessment Template, developed by the Stress Risk Management Working Group (SRMWG) aims to provide support to teams or departments in assessing the risk of (potential) stressors and creating suitable action plans.
• An Individual Stress Risk Assessment available from HR, can support with understanding the root cause of stress for individuals and mitigating against burnout.

Staff Helpline - 0800 028 1947

The staff helpline and counselling service is provided by an independent external provider, Health Assured and is a means for all staff and their immediate families to access practical help, information, advice and support to address and resolve problems and issues they may be facing at home or at work.

The service is free, independent, confidential and available 24 hours a day.

More information is available here.