Employee burnout and what to do about it

Mental Health UK’s 2024 benchmark report for burnout in the UK revealed that one in five working adults needed to take time off work in the past year due to poor mental health caused by pressure or stress. Organisations need to take the issue seriously.

Risk, resilience and productivity are among the topics discussed most around the boardroom table. With absence from burnout and mental health issues on the rise, The Burnout Report by Mental Health UK is a useful resource for directors interested in making their organisation a ‘good workplace’.

“The world has transformed massively in recent years, and our workplaces have not been immune to this transformation. Social and technological changes, as well as unprecedented global events such as the pandemic, have brought with them challenges for employers in maintaining mentally healthy workplaces for their staff.”

The Burnout Report looks at the impact of changes in working arrangements; awareness and understanding of burnout; mental health in the working environment; and contributing factors from outside the workplace.

Helpfully, it lists a range of recommendations for both employees and employers and signposts to resources and tailored support.

Recognising what’s happening

Another helpful checkpoint for directors is this illustration by Ex-McKinsey leadership expert George Stern.

‘What causes burnout and what to do about it’ centres around recognising a situation and taking proactive steps to foster a healthy work environment.

Seek help when you need it

If any of this feels a bit close to the bone or is acting as a trigger, there are a number of symptoms to look out for and act on.

If you're regularly feeling any of the following, please seek help:

• Tired or drained

• Helpless, trapped or defeated

• Isolated, detached or alone in the world

• Overwhelmed

• Self doubt or cynicism

Visiting mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout is a good place to start.