How to understand, address burnout

Burnout is not a new phenomenon, though recently it certainly is receiving heightened attention and recognition as both an employee and employer concern. The 2021 Global Workplace Burnout Study by Infinite Potential, an independent think tank, reveals that burnout has increased by more than 5% in the last 12 months, but argues that this is a more complex and multifaceted issue than it is often represented.

Let’s dive into the study’s findings.

1. The report says, “Most organisations struggle to address the problem of burnout for one simple reason: leaders do not understand what burnout is and why it happens.” Here’s how the study defines the term and the impacts it can have on employees:

2. In its second year, the study utilizes the Infinite Potential Burnout Scale to examine year-over-year shifts. The findings also reveal “middle managers (those who manage managers) are reporting the highest levels of burnout within organisations.”

3. While burnout is felt at an individual level, the cause is usually organizational structures and culture. However, leaders also may recognize the problem but are reluctant to take action.