Navigating the Workplace Through Burnout: Recognizing Signs and Seeking Healing

It has been a few weeks since we learned about the tragic loss of a young girl, which her parents attribute to a toxic workplace culture, while the company has a different perspective. Instead of diving into the controversy, let's explore the existence of burnout in today’s corporate environment.

When I began my career 20 years ago, the concept of work-life balance was nearly nonexistent. As a human resources professional, I frequently witnessed employees pushing themselves beyond their limits to meet their responsibilities. It has become quite common for one employee to take on the workload of 2-3 team members who are absent or have left the organization. And this is glorified, overworking is celebrated and we love those employees who stay late to finish their work, don't we?

Here are some statistics on burnout:

1. A 2020 survey by Cigna found that about 89% of Indian workers reported experiencing job-related stress, one of the highest rates worldwide.
2. According to a 2021 report by Deloitte, approximately 77% of employees in India showed signs of burnout, with many stating it adversely affected their personal lives and productivity.
3. The State of Mental Health in India Report (2021) highlighted that stress and burnout are significant contributors to mental health issues, with around 30% of individuals experiencing considerable anxiety and depression tied to work pressures.

Moreover, the normalization of long working hours, weekend work, and after-hours calls and emails makes these survey results all the more shocking.

What is burnout?

Burnout is not just a fleeting feeling; it is a chronic state of stress linked to emotional exhaustion. It can begin with a sense of heaviness, and in cultures that encourage taking on more responsibilities, this feeling may persist. Over time, individuals may experience increased heaviness, a lack of motivation, and physical symptoms, and typically, the first response is self-medication—whether it’s over-the-counter medications, a weekend at a spa, or visiting friends and family.

If burnout is the issue, these methods will not suffice, as the problem is chronic and requires immediate attention. Yet, many believe they can manage it another day, which is how burnout starts to manifest in our physical health.

The "feels like" signs of Burnout:

1. I dread going to work in the morning.
2. I feel a lack of support or experience active conflict with colleagues.
3. I feel lonely and isolated.
4. I struggle to stay focused at work.
5. I feel completely drained.

Physical Symptoms of Burnout:

1. Insomnia
2. Digestive issues
3. Migraines or chronic headaches/neck pain
4. Irritability and mood swings
5. Inability to rest

The Importance of Addressing Burnout:

Neglecting these signs and symptoms can lead to more severe, chronic conditions. We know that prevention is better than cure. It's crucial to shift from a "pop a pill" mindset to a more sustainable approach to management.

We must ask ourselves, “How much is too much?”

One day of working beyond our specified hours is manageable. One weekend of extra work or one call after hours is acceptable.

However, determining what constitutes "okay" for you is essential, as it varies for each individual based on age, environment, health, gender, and home responsibilities.

How Can We Prevent Burnout at Work?

First, individuals must understand what burnout is, recognize its signs and symptoms, and be ready to make changes. Setting boundaries, communicating with managers, and being open to resolving issues instead of ignoring them in hopes of a promotion are vital steps. Next, organizations must foster a culture of resilience. Resilience is crucial for how employees face challenges and adjust to workplace changes.

Why It Matters:

Creating resilient work teams is essential for cultivating a healthy and productive environment. Such teams thrive on mutual trust, social norms, participation, and robust social networks. Resilient teams tend to be more productive and perform at higher levels.

Resilience acts as a protective factor for individuals, teams, and organizations, allowing them to effectively cope with periods of change, high pressure, and stress. Even a highly motivated group may struggle to manage substantial demands without adequate recovery time, leading to fatigue and burnout.

How It’s Achieved:

The good news is that resilience can be learned and developed by anyone through new behaviors, thoughts, and actions. Building resilient teams relies on effective leadership, team cohesion, mutual support, and open, honest communication.

Managers should remember that an employee's resilience can be affected by external factors. While individuals often have limited control over events impacting their mental health, enhancing resilience can positively influence their responses.

Other Solutions:

As a populous nation, we can distribute work more effectively. Organizations can explore creative solutions such as part-time roles, freelancers, temporary assignments, and contract workers at all levels.

In conclusion, we have a long way to go in addressing employee well-being. While some organizations are making significant strides, for others, it remains a mere talking point during annual conferences. The experiences of employees can differ greatly.

Therefore, at an individual level, we must acknowledge our struggles and take proactive steps.