Burnout is a serious problem in America.
A person is at risk of burnout when they experience one or more of the following workplace risk factors:
Among the many professional groups impacted by high rates of burnout are emergency and medical workers (physicians, nurses, paramedics, police, firefighters), mental health providers (counselors, social workers), attorneys, and teachers. Burnout is a gradual process that has serious implications at work and home.
The main characteristics of burnout include:
Are you “running on empty”?
Burnout is a systemic problem.
In addressing burnout, the goal is not to focus on the individual alone. The work environment plays an important role in preventing or reducing burnout. Signs of burnout at an organizational level include employees taking increased sick leave days, high turnover, and behaviors related to intentions to quit/lack of commitment to the organization (for example, an employee saying “I can’t do this” and “I hate this job”).