John’s Journey of Burnout to Lasting Fulfillment
John had been feeling increasingly overwhelmed with work and unable to focus on the tasks that mattered most. One morning he went into the office, feeling exhausted and burnt out from the constant pressure of keeping up with deadlines and expectations. He took his seat at his desk, but before he could even begin to tackle his workload, he started to feel so discouraged by all the work waiting for him that he reached for a cup of coffee instead.
He tried to focus on the task in front of him, but he couldn’t concentrate. His mind kept drifting off, and soon enough he found himself scrolling through social media or reading random articles online instead. Before long, it was lunchtime without had made much progress toward his workload. John felt embarrassed about not getting anything done despite having arrived earlier than most of his colleagues that day. When it was time to present a report in the afternoon meeting, John realized he hadn’t prepared anything and scrambled around trying to put something together quickly; unfortunately, it was too late for him to make any real progress. The presentation was a disaster and John felt frustrated with himself for letting his stress get the best of him.
The impact of burnout was beginning to take its toll and had begun to affect not only his work life but also his home life. In particular, John experienced the following impacts of burnout:
- Struggling to concentrate on tasks that mattered.
- Exhaustion and depression
- Loss of enthusiasm for his job
- Lost interest in activities he once enjoyed.
- Feeling unmotivated, unproductive, and ineffective
- Decrease in quality of work due to lack of focus.
Even John’s family noticed that he was feeling increasingly stressed, fatigued, and emotionally drained. He had also been exhibiting signs of irritability, restlessness, and insomnia which were further evidence of his struggle with burnout.
John’s wife, worried about his mental well-being, urged him to open up to his manager. Although John was scared it would backfire on him, he decided that things couldn’t possibly get any worse and planned to take her advice.
Burnout: Cost and Consequences
Employee burnout has been plaguing the workforce for decades, and its long-term consequences on mental health as well as organizational success are substantial. The onset of COVID might have thrown a spotlight onto this issue, but it is nothing new – occupational fatigue is in plain site and creative solutions are trending in all leadership circles.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), recent studies estimate that burnout costs businesses worldwide an estimated USD $250 billion to USD $300 billion each year in terms of lost resources and decreased productivity. Furthermore, 31% of employees report feeling overworked, while 44% indicate that they are “always” or “often” burned out during the workday (WHO, 2020). This data makes it clear that burnout has become a widespread problem, which is why organizations must implement strategies and initiatives designed to reduce its effects on individuals and businesses alike.
A study conducted by Mercer in 2020 found that 65% of employees experience burnout symptoms during their working hours (Mercer, 2020). In addition, the American Institute of Stress (AIS) states that up to 60% of work absences are attributed to stress-related conditions (American Institute of Stress, 2021). Most frightening according to a study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2020, employees with high levels of job burnout are 15% more likely to attempt suicide than those with low levels of job burnout (Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2020).
John’s Manager’s Intervention and Response
The next day, John’s eyes were cast to the floor as he nervously confessed his feelings of burnout to his manager, speaking barely above a whisper as he described how he was feeling.
His manager, Sue got up from her desk and sat next to John on the other side of her desk. She paused for a moment before responding, her voice full of empathy and compassion.
“I’m so sorry that you’re feeling this way,” she said, looking John in the eye. “Burnout is no small thing – it takes a real toll on the mind and body. Can you tell me more about what you’ve been going through?”
John began to open up more, explaining how he felt overwhelmed by all the work he had been assigned and how his health had been suffering as a result. As he talked, his manager listened intently, showing genuine interest in what John was saying.
When John had finished speaking, his manager nodded understandingly before making some suggestions that she thought might help with his burnout.
Sue was thankful for the knowledge she acquired from her work-sponsored class on employee engagement and burnout. Although intuitively it seemed that a few days off or reducing workloads would help alleviate an employee’s stress, Sue remembered what she had learned – this solution is only temporary relief and does not address core causes of burnout. While granting days off or reducing a worker’s workload can give them some respite in the short term, ultimately those strategies only address symptoms rather than causes of burnout.
Sue shared the following suggestions with John:
- While away from work, do things he enjoys outside of his job. This could include going on a weekend trip with friends or family, taking up yoga classes at least once per week or learning some new hobbies like painting.
- To prioritize tasks more efficiently so that he can focus his energy on only the most pressing tasks instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything at once.
- Keeping lists and diaries can help them better manage his workload in an organized manner. The best part is these items don’t have to be restricted to work only; jotting down personal goals will help as well.
- Stepping away from his desk will provide a much-needed mental break.
- Take care of himself during the day by taking a walk, eating healthy snacks and stretching throughout the day.
- Seek out emotional support from family or a friend.
- Schedule time with a counselor or their Employee Assistance Program to obtain professional guidance.
- And most importantly, they agreed to meet once a week to check progress and discuss other possible solutions.
For a complete list of suggestions see Resources at www.jakellyconsulting.com
As they concluded their conversation, John’s manager smiled warmly at him and told him not to worry; things would get better soon enough if he followed her advice.
Next steps for John.
John left his manager’s office feeling much better than when he walked in. He still had a long way to go in overcoming his burnout but felt comforted knowing he had the support of his manager and employer. He was also encouraged by the understanding that there are many strategies available for him to manage his work stress. With newfound motivation, John left feeling more empowered.
Despite the stigma surrounding mental health struggles in the workplace, John was determined to break through his burnout. He began incorporating self-care activities into his daily routine and the encouraging environment of support allowed him to navigate around obstacles more quickly than ever expected! Thanks to these improvements, he is now equipped with all he needs to remain happy at work, even when stresses or pressures arise.
After experiencing burnout first-hand, John dedicated himself to helping others prevent and recover from it. At a special company meeting attended by his wife, he shared his incredible story of how he overcame burnout darkness. His story brought tears and laughter to all – making him an instant hero! John’s tireless efforts on committees for employee retention as well as mentorship & coaching roles are an inspiration. The company now promotes seven key strategies to prevent burnout.
- Ensuring quality restful sleep
- Establishing healthy boundaries between working and relaxing
- Setting attainable goals
- Expressing issues openly instead of repressing them
- Eating right
- Exercising regularly
- Creating an overall attitude of positivity in the workplace
With a collective effort, John’s story serves as an inspiration to all those battling with workplace stress that there is hope and support available – no matter how difficult the situation may seem. By understanding the importance of employee well-being, employers can create an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated, which will ultimately lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity.
Causes of Employee Dissatisfaction
Employee dissatisfaction can stem from a variety of sources, such as a lack of recognition or appreciation for the work they do, feeling unsupported or overworked, and experiencing an overall sense of unhappiness with their job.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the top 10 reasons employees are dissatisfied with their jobs are:
- Low pay
- Lack of career advancement opportunities
- Uncomfortable working environment
- Lack of job security
- Heavy workloads
- Inadequate benefits packages
- Poor recognition or rewards for achievements
- Ineffective management styles
- Lack of support from colleagues
- Unresolved workplace conflicts.
Employers need to take these concerns seriously and make changes to address the issues and create an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Employee Dissatisfaction
When managing their team, managers need to look out for signs of employee dissatisfaction. We saw this firsthand with John – a decrease in enthusiasm for their job, a drop in work quality, and a change in their usual work performance were all indicators that something was amiss. See Resouces at www.jakellyconsulting.com
Early recognition and intervention are key to preventing more serious issues from arising down the line and potentially impacting the wider team. By keeping an eye out for these warning signs, managers can take action to ensure that employees are engaged and happy at work.
Conclusion:
Employee satisfaction should be a top priority for any organization. By understanding the causes and recognizing the signs of dissatisfaction, employers can create an environment where employees feel appreciated and supported. In doing so, they will be able to reap the rewards of having a productive and engaged workforce. John’s story is one that serves as an inspiration to all those battling with workplace stress, that there is hope and support available. With a collective effort, we can all make a difference in ensuring the well-being of our workforce and creating an environment of positivity.