Employee Burnout | Meaning and Definition

What is employee burnout? 

It is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that occurs when employees feel overwhelmed by their work. It can lead to apathy, cynicism, and a decrease in productivity. Burnout can have detrimental effects on an employee’s health, happiness, and well-being. 

Several factors can contribute to burnout. One major factor is an imbalance between the demands of the job and the resources available to the employee. When employees feel like they don’t have the necessary resources to do their jobs effectively, they may start to experience stress and burnout. 

Employee Burnout Symptoms

If an employee feels exhausted, unmotivated, and irritable at work, they may be suffering from burnout. It can happen to anyone, but it’s especially common among people who work in high-pressure environments. 

There are many different symptoms of burnout, but some of the most common include: 

•   Feeling indifference or cynicism towards the job
•   Increased negativity or cynicism towards co-workers
•   Feeling like you’re unable to complete tasks or meet deadlines
•   A sense of disconnection from job or co-workers
•   Avoiding work altogether or taking more time off than usual
•   Change in sleeping habits
•   Lack of satisfaction from achievements 

Causes of employee burnout

There are a few different causes. Some of them are:

•   Employees may feel like they’re not doing enough or that their work isn’t valuable.
•   Employees may feel like they’re not being appreciated by their bosses or co-workers.
•   Employees may feel like they don’t have a good work/life balance and are constantly working without any time for themselves. 

These are just a few of the reasons why employees may experience burnout. It’s important to identify the cause of burnout to address it effectively. Otherwise, employees may continue to feel stressed and overworked, leading to even more serious problems down the road.