Burnout / Boreout

Definition of burnout

'Burnout' is defined as 'physical, emotional and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged investment in emotionally demanding work situations'.

Burnout can manifest itself cumulatively in five ways:

• Emotional: The exhaustion felt by an individual, leading to a feeling of loss of control, can manifest itself emotionally as non-specific fears and nervous tension. It is also characterised by feelings of sadness or a lack of drive. The individual may be irritable, tense or hyper-sensitive, or may show no emotion.
  
  
• Physical: Physical manifestations are the most common. They may include sleep disorders, chronic fatigue as a result of non-restorative sleep, and muscular tensions with back and/or neck pain. People may suddenly gain or lose weight.
  
  
• Cognitive: Burnout could have an impact on the individual's ability to process information, leading to difficulty concentrating, problems doing several tasks at once, a lack of perspective, and problems making decisions. People may make minor mistakes and errors, or forget things.
  
  
• Behavioural or interpersonal: In interpersonal terms, the individual can retreat into themselves, become socially isolated, or behave aggressively, sometimes violently, reflecting their inability to deal with the frustration they feel professionally. Addictive behaviours may be adopted to deal with the tension they feel: smoking, alcohol, tranquilisers, drugs, etc.
  
  
• Motivational or attitude-related: As they feel that their work is unappreciated, the individual can gradually withdraw. Lack of motivation and low morale are accompanied by an erosion of the values associated with the work.

Prevention

• Inform and train employees
• Keep an eye on individuals' workload
• Provide solid social support
• Give leeway
• Ensure fair recognition of work
• Discuss work quality criteria

For employees:

Employees need to learn to tell the difference between company demands and self-imposed duties.

For the company:

• Shorter work periods
• Longer breaks
• Compassionate leave
• Rotation of duties
• Part-time work
  
• Feedback on services
• More self-determination
• Help with decision-making
• Guaranteed job security
• Supervision and coaching