No matter what your job is, physical and mental exhaustion is inevitable. In fact, it can actually be a good thing if you feel fulfilled and motivated by what you do. If it’s accompanied by dissatisfaction, emptiness, and irritability, however, you may already be experiencing job burnout. Lack of adequate health and social care for job burnout can lead to serious mental, physical, and emotional issues.
Common Causes of Job Burnout
According to a study by Gallup, here are the top five factors that can cause burnout:
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Unmanageable Workload
Even the most optimistic employees can get dragged to their lowest when drowned in an impossible amount of workload. This is what sports psychologists refer to as “mental quicksand”.
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Unjustified Time Pressure
Employees with extreme time constraints are more likely to experience job burnout. This is especially true with time-sensitive professions, such as fire fighters and paramedics. However, office-based employees with chronic unreasonable deadlines are equally at risk.
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Lack of Managerial Support
Good management, regular communication, and emotional support in the workplace can boost employee morale. But if the managers are confrontational and distant, the employees become susceptible to burnout. Bad leadership equals unhappy workers.
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Unclear Roles and Responsibilities
When employees are not informed of what’s expected of them, they feel lost and demotivated.
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Mistreatment
Employees who feel like they are being treated unfairly at work are prone to job burnout. Unfair work treatment often includes:
- Favouritism
- Unjust compensation
- Workplace bullying
Signs of Job Burnout
Regularly check yourself for signs of burnout by answering these questions:
- “Am I experiencing unexplained stomach aches, headaches, digestive problems, and other body pains?”
- “Are my sleeping habits unhealthy?”
- “Have I been irritable when communicating with colleagues, clients, or managers?”
- “Do I feel like I don’t have enough energy to stay productive?”
- “Do I feel cynical about my job?”
- “Am I having trouble starting my work?”
- “Am I having a hard time concentrating?”
- “Do I feel dissatisfied with my work achievements?”
- “Am I over/under eating and over drinking?”
- “Do I feel alienated from work-related stuff?”
If you answered mostly yes to these questions, job burnout may be on the horizon— or you’re already there. Consider seeking listening support as soon as possible.
How Listening Support Can Relieve Job Burnout
Ideally, you should be able to discuss how you’re feeling with your supervisor or the HR department. Unfortunately, very few workplaces actually have such support systems in place.
Seeking impartial listening support can help tremendously to relieve job burnout. Benefits include:
- Being able to open up and be honest about how you feel
- Getting access to resources such as local UK health and social care providers
- Freeing your mind from stress with compassionate, non-judgmental support
- If you wish, you may also receive advice on workplace coping strategies
Job burnout or not, it helps to know that someone is always on your side and ready to listen.
Handling Job Burnout with Effective Listening Support
Work may be an inevitable part of life, but job burnout doesn’t have to be. Don’t bear it alone. Call us anytime – Talking for Therapy’s listening support services are confidential and available 24/7 in the UK and across the globe. Book an appointment and talk to our advisors today.
