Alarming trend: The percentage of employees experiencing workplace burnout globally increased from 39% in 2019 to 43% in 2020 [9] Burnout is a big deal and has become increasingly more prevalent in the modern workplace. Causation possibly, but most definitly correalated to the rise of smart phones and increased online connectivity. It’s not local to any specific sector either, burnout affects employees across all types of industries and job roles. This state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion has severe consequences for individuals and organizations alike.
What does burnout look like? Well, burnout presents itself through a range of symptoms catagorized into behavioral, emotional and physical attributes.
Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms can look like the following:
- Cynical, nihalistic and/or critical attitude towards work
- Irritability and impatience with colleagues and clients
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of satisfaction with job (Even job achievements)
- Disillusionment with job
- Use of food, drugs, or alcohol for coping [1]
Physical Symptoms
- Low energy and lack of consistent productivity
- Disturbed sleeping patterns up to and including insomnia
- Rogue headaches, stomach issues, or bowel problems
- Various other physical complaints [1]
It may go without saying considering the above, but burnout also negatively impacts employee effectiveness which leads to all sorts of poor outcomes.
Decreased Productivity and Performance
Burned-out employees exhibit a 13% lower confidence level in their performance [2]. This lack of confidence leads to:
- Inhibited creativity and reduced innovation
- Increased mistakes, accidents, and injuries (where applicable such as machine operators)
- Higher levels of personal and task-related conflict [1]
Absenteeism and Organizational Turnover
Employees suffering from burnout are 63% more likely to take sick days and 2.6 times more likely to actively seek alternative empoyment [2]. The increased absenteeism and turnover has no choice but to disrupt team dynamics and organizational productivity as a whole.
Reduced Engagement and Communication
Burned-out workers are half as likely to create or discuss performance goals with their colleagues or managers [2]. This breakdown in communication leads to misaligned expectations and further deterioration of job performance.
Health and Well-being Impacts
The impact of burnout extends well beyond the workplace. Employees experiencing burnout are 23% more likely to visit the emergency room [2]. Maybe callous, but the increased health risk is a problem for the entire organiziation as it also contributes to higher healthcare costs for everyone.
Statistical Evidence of Burnout's Impact
Recent studies reveal horrible statistics about the prevalence and consequences of burnout:
- 44% of U.S. employees feel burned out at work
- 45% feel emotionally drained from their work
- 51% feel "used up" at the end of the workday [3]
The implications for organizatoins employing burned out indidviduals are:
- Employees experiencing burnout are nearly three times more likely to be actively searching for another job (45% vs. 16% of those not reporting burnout)
- Burned-out workers are significantly less likely to go above and beyond what is expected of them at work (40% vs. 56%) [3]
The financial impact of burnout on organizations is astronomical. Workplace stress is estimated to cost the U.S. economy as a whole more than $500 billion annually, with lost productivity amounting to about 550 million workdays [6]. Cherry on top is those employers shell out approximately $190 billion per year in burnout-related healthcare costs [6].
Burnout is a widespread issue impacting holistic employee effectiveness and organizational success. By recognizing the symptoms and understanding the far-reaching consequences, employers give themselves the opportunity to take proactive steps to address burnout and create healthier, more productive work environments. Implementing strategies to prevent and mitigate burnout is crucial for maintaining a thriving workforce and ensuring long-term organizational success.
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