Feeling like your work-life balance is more myth than reality? You’re not alone. But here’s the kicker: your colleague sitting next to you (or on your next Zoom call) might be silently struggling with burnout. They’re keeping it under wraps, but the signs are there if you know where to look. Burnout doesn’t just affect the individual; it impacts teams and organizational culture. Here’s the lowdown on spotting burnout symptoms and being the workplace hero your colleagues need.
Productivity Plunge: More Than Just an Off Day Their work pace has slowed, missing deadlines more frequently.
Cynicism at Work: Beyond the Monday Blues They’ve become noticeably more negative or cynical.
Social Withdrawal: When Colleagues Become Ghosts Less participation in meetings or team events.
Emotional Rollercoaster: More Than Just Stress Mood swings, irritability, or signs of depression are more apparent.
Overwhelm Overload: The Breaking Point They often mention feeling stuck or hopeless.
Tired All the Time: Not Just Lack of Coffee Complaints of constant tiredness, headaches, or other stress-induced ailments.
Passion Lost: When Work Feels Meaningless A visible decline in enthusiasm for work they once enjoyed.
Late Starts, Early Exits: The Clock-Watching Syndrome Coming in late, leaving early, or an uptick in sick days.
Lack of Focus: Difficulty concentrating or staying engaged in tasks. Difficulty concentrating or staying engaged in tasks.
Avoidance of Responsibility: Reluctance to take on new tasks or lead projects. Reluctance to take on new tasks or lead projects.
If you notice these burnout symptoms in a colleague, it does not necessarily mean they are experiencing burnout but it could be signs that burnout is approaching. Instead of sending out another company mail about the risks of burnout that gets sent to the trash, here are some practical steps that can help.
Start a Conversation: Approach them privately to express concern. It’s crucial to listen without judgment.
Encourage Professional Support: Ensure they are aware of the available options for professional help if they need it. Speaking with HR, a counseling services or an employee assistance program (EAP).
Help Rebalance Workloads: If possible, offer to help them prioritise or redistribute tasks to ease their immediate stress.
Promote Wellness Resources: If your company has wellness resources, point them in it's direction. If you've received value from it, share your experience.
Check-in Regularly: Regular, informal check-ins can provide ongoing support and remind them they’re not alone. Often, a friendly ear can be more beneficial than advice being handed out.
Advocate for a Supportive Environment: Encourage breaks, social interactions, and a healthy work-life balance within your team. Take advantage of tools such as Dewdropz and Headspace to help with this. No app is going to solve all your needs but doing nothing is far more dangerous.
Burnout is a growing concern that requires collective awareness and action. By recognizing the signs and offering a helping hand, we can foster a more supportive and empathetic workplace.