Burnout has a negative impact in the workplace on health and safety
When you think about hazards in the workplace, you likely think of equipment or fall hazards. Maybe you think of less obvious hazards, such as workplace harassment or ergonomics. Rarely does anyone consider burnout a hazard. However, burnout may cause reduced productivity, increased errors, susceptibility to illness, and even anxiety and/or depression.
Can you recognize the signs of burnout in the workplace? |
Being able to recognize signs of burnout and provide support and resources is a key component of supporting the well-being of your workforce.
What is Burnout?Burnout is a chronic state of stress. Constantly working long hours, in high-stress, high-pressure settings, and/or managing a heavy workload are contributing factors. More than just being tired after a long day at work, Psychology Today defines burnout as:
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight but knowing the signs and mitigating the effects (before you find yourself in a state of chronic stress that leaves you unable to function on a personal or professional level) can prevent it.
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What are the Signs of Burnout?Knowing the signs of burnout is only half of the equation when it comes to prevention; you must address the symptoms to prevent them from piling up and resulting in burnout. Psychology Today lists the following signs of burnout:
Don’t just recognize the symptoms: address them. If you feel that you may be on the verge of burnout speak to a healthcare provider. Don’t be afraid to discuss your workload, goals and expectations, or your schedule with your employer. Many alternative solutions can be found and put in place to prevent burnout. For employers, being able to recognize signs of burnout and provide support and resources is a key component of supporting the well-being of your workforce. |
Getting Help for Burnout
If you notice a colleague exhibiting signs of burnout, encourage them to speak to a healthcare provider. Be ready to help them by directing them to your EAP or providing resources so that they can get medical and psychological support.
Preventing BurnoutHelp prevent burnout in the workplace!
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Burnout Impacts Health and SafetyBurnout has a negative impact in the workplace on health and safety. Burnout results in increased errors which can be costly, dangerous, or deadly. Burnout can impact almost every facet of health and safety in every type of workplace, and the result is the same: an error that results in an accident, incident, illness, or even a fatality.
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Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
MidSouthWest Training and Consulting provides an online Psychological Health and Safety eLearning Module and an online Stress Management and Resilience Module. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Last updated May 19, 2023