According to the Zoe report 2019, burnout lies on a continuum from mild to severe,” Rymsha clarifies. “And since we live in a culture of burnout (hyperconnectivity plus glorification of constant work), most of us are ‘smoldering’ to [some] degree.”
o The experts share some telltale signs that you’re heading for an emotional crash and burn:
Lack of energy: You may be battling constant fatigue overall (despite getting enough sleep), but you also may feel too drained to do the things you used to enjoy, like exercising or hanging out with friends.
Lack of time: Sure, the “I don’t have time” excuse comes in handy every now and then, but if you literally don’t have time to have a life outside of work, that’s a problem.
Trouble maintaining healthy habits: Nobody’s perfect, but generally healthy eating, exercise, and sleeping routines are the foundation of your wellbeing. If you’ve been living off takeout because you don’t have the time/energy to cook, skipping your workouts, and not getting enough sleep, you could be on the fast track to burning out.
Interrupted sleep: You may find that work stress is causing insomnia, or if you wake up every morning feeling anxious, then work may be weighing too heavily on your mind.
Physical pain: Yes, mental exhaustion can affect you physically, and this often comes in the form of chronic headings and muscle tension.
Feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled: If you’re so overwhelmed that your job is no longer fulfilling (not to be confused with the apathy of being in a career rut), you may be too drained to continue at the same pace.
Considering above elements, can be stated that burnout is a legitimare medical diagnosis that should be accepted by governments and the private sector.
Dear Joseph Tham,
The government may set guidelines on this issue, ie, for example, the Ministry of Health or a specific institutional agenda, which will define specific content in the media in the form of a social campaign. During this campaign, the thesis may be propagated that "burnout at work" should be diagnosed as a condition for which the system of services should have and apply to the citizens specific treatment methods. However, not necessarily citizens and entrepreneurs who employ employees may pay attention to this issue, which is determined by a specific current situation in the labor market, i.e. whether at a given moment this situation can be defined as an employee market or rather an employer market. In addition, the situation on the labor market may also express the level of specific categories of unemployment. If unemployment is high then employees as well as employers may not take into account such issues as the problem of "burnout at work" of specific employees, because in their place you can quickly find new employees.
Best wishes
Yes, provided the employee has valid documentation from a medical professional that their emotional state is a direct result of work fatigue or work fatigue was a contributing factor. People in the helping profession (nurses, counselors, social workers, etc.) often experience compassion fatigue which is a direct result of the physical and emotional energy they expend on their patients. Many agencies allow mental health days off for recuperation. The government is often suspicious of some employees malingering (faking symptoms to avoid work or gain a benefit)and hence the recommendation above for a doctor's note.
"Burnout at work" should be accepted as legitimate medical diagnosis, since the analysis of cause and effect will indicate that While the causes may be work related, the effects like fatigue, disturbance in biological clock leading to mental and physical problems need medical treatment.
although burn-out is not a disease, it has to be also seen from an OHS perspective. In some countries it is necessary to report burn-out to the employer...
I believe the WHO should look into this matter. It is considered a medical problem and I think it could land somewhere between the mental and physical state of the individual afflicted with it. Its prevalence rate is alarmingly high especially to those individuals who tend to work almost 24/7.
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