What is burnout?
Burnout: exhaustion of either physical or mental resources or a lack of motivation typically arising from prolonged stress at work.
WHO
- Feelings of helplessness.
- Feeling trapped or defeated.
- Feelings of isolation.
- Procrastination.
- Doubting abilities and regularly feeling overwhelmed.
- Having an increasingly negative outlook on life.
How does burnout affect remote or hybrid workers differently?
While burnout affects workers of all kinds, it appears to be affecting remote or hybrid workers in record numbers. In a recent Mckinsey survey, 49% of respondents reported feeling burnout, with 21% saying they are experiencing severe symptoms.The stress of living through a global pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll. Remote working isn't for everyone, and some employees have also been juggling childcare and other responsibilities at home.But as we head into the new normal, the risk of burnout still seems to be a significant factor for many organizations. So, why is remote working such a catalyst for burnout?
- When working offsite, the lines between our home-life and work-life become undefined. It can be hard to shut off from work, especially if we don't have a home office we can close the door on at the end of the day. Not having the physical distinction between work and home has left many remote workers putting in longer work hours but not necessarily ticking more off their to-do lists.
- During the lockdown, many employees found themselves putting in extra hours to avoid the boredom of being stuck at home. Now, everyday life is resuming a lack of clear boundaries around work time and personal time is emerging. A significant stressor and contributor to employee burnout, several European countries are setting legislation to ensure employees don't receive notifications outside of work hours.
- When working remotely, it's easy to lose the sense of belonging and esteem that comes from working in an office. We are social creatures that crave being part of a team, and in-person interaction is a crucial component of that basic biological need. Plus, for ambitious employees, taking time out of the office might feel like kissing the promotion they have coveted for years goodbye.
- We have all experienced a major shrinking of our networks, and many of us feel like downright hermits! Over time without in-office interaction, we don't feel part of the group, and it becomes harder to feel confident sharing our ideas. If we aren't careful, ultimately, we can end up wholly demotivated and disconnected from any shared goals.