Workplace Burnout

Monday morning! The weather is improving, the sun is peeking in the windows, and the smell of coffee makes its way into your brain, resulting in a great beginning to your morning. Suddenly, however, the all-too-familiar ping of an arriving text (then another and another) triggers an almost Pavlovian response, raising your stress level instantly.

The dreaded Monday morning call-outs. Call-outs, on top of the already challenging labor shortage, are one of the many workplace stressors that administrators and managers face daily—and that may ultimately lead to burnout. Workplace burnout is a condition that is on the rise, especially in the healthcare field.

Workplace burnout is so prevalent that it is even included in ICD 11, Code QD85. According to a 2019 World Health Organization article,¹ burn-out is defined as “…a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
• reduced professional efficacy.”

In this age of increased regulations, staffing shortages, new technologies, and financial challenges, it can be difficult to turn off the work mindset when leaving work and not continue to “quickly” check your email at home and/or be distracted about upcoming challenges and projects.

A recent report from Indeed² found that 52% of all workers are feeling burned out, and “Sixty-one percent of remote workers and 53% of on-site workers now find it more difficult to ‘unplug’ from work during off-hours.”

Countless articles have been written about strategies to combat work burnout, including taking breaks throughout the day, meditating, and getting regular exercise—all excellent steps to managing stress. In addition, another important step that everyone should take, but not everyone is able to achieve, is leaving work at work by practicing techniques to “turn it off” once you leave the office.

Leaving Work at Work

A 2023 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology³ found that employees who detached from work once at home (not looking at emails, refraining from sending messages) felt guilt and shame the next morning at work. In addition, many employees expressed fear of consequences if they took vacation days. A poll from Fishbowl by Glassdoor⁴ found that 65% of employees aged 45 and older and 47% of those aged 21 to 25 years found it difficult to disengage from work while on vacation.

In this age of increased regulations, staffing shortages, new technologies, and financial challenges, it can be difficult to turn off the work mindset when leaving work and not continue to “quickly” check your email at home and/or be distracted about upcoming challenges and projects. This type of stress is often referred to as anticipatory stress. Anticipatory stress, according to the University of Minnesota Extension,⁵ is “experiencing an increased stress response in anticipation of a difficult or unpredictable situation” and can include physical symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, and racing thoughts.

Disengaging From Work

There are steps that you can take to help you turn off work once you leave the office, some immediate and others that will take some practice.

1. Turn off and CLOSE your laptop/desktop and resist the urge to look at work-related texts and emails on your phone
1. This is the critical first step
2. Take advantage of the “Do not disturb” or “Personal” options on your phone
2. Stay busy once home
1. Read a book
2. Exercise
3. Go for a walk with family members
3. Become mindful of your time
1. Once you leave work, whether for the day or a vacation, start tracking how many minutes a day you spend:
1. Looking at work email
2. Answering work-related calls
3. Thinking about work and what needs to get done

By tracking these minutes, you begin to become mindful of just how much time you spend, outside of work, thinking about work. Tracking your time provides you with insight and also helps you become more aware of the present by keeping you focused on the here and now.

2. Practice looking at challenges and upcoming projects in a positive light
1. Look at the resources you have at your disposal and then put the worry away
2. When you look at challenges in a positive light, anticipatory stress levels begin to drop, and you may find yourself no longer worrying about any challenges once you leave the office
4. Establish a work buddy
1. Going on vacation? Work with someone within your healthcare system, perhaps another manager or office coordinator, to be your work buddy. This person would cover any urgent situations that come up while you are away. All other matters should wait until you return
2. Make sure to communicate to healthcare providers and staff who will be covering for you. If they have not met your workplace buddy, make sure to introduce him or her to staff and providers
3. Refrain from communicating with your work buddy (or any of the providers and staff) until you return from vacation

Countless additional strategies and tools can be used to minimize workplace stressors that lead to burnout. The healthcare industry is evolving daily, and healthcare leaders are called on not only to stay on top of all the changes but to face, and address, daily operational challenges. Although a single solution to eliminating burnout does not exist, there are many techniques and steps that leaders can use to combat burnout and continue to lead with energy and enthusiasm.

References

1. World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. May 28, 2019. Accessed May 15, 2024. www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
2. Threlkeld K. Employee Burnout Report: COVID-19’s impact and 3 strategies to curb it. Indeed. March 11, 2021. Accessed May 15, 2024. www.indeed.com/lead/preventing-employee-burnout-report
3. Kundro TG, Belinda CD, Affinito SJ, Christian MS. Performance pressure amplifies the effect of evening detachment on next-morning shame: downstream consequences for workday cheating behavior. J Appl Psychol. 2023;108:1356-1371.
4. Johnson R. 1 in 2 professionals can’t fully unplug on their vacation. Glassdoor blog. July 12, 2022. Accessed May 16, 2024. www.glassdoor.com/research/professionals-cant-fully-unplug-on-vacation
5. Becher E, Krekelber E. Anticipatory stress. University of Minnesota Extension. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://extension.umn.edu/stress-and-change/anticipatory-stress

Article provided through a partnership with

and