Written by Shalom Grays
HR staff working in many sectors for various organisations, face a mounting issue that is not quantifiable, that of exhaustion amongst the employees, both mental and emotional.
As a professional therapist meeting a client, you would assess the issue and diagnose as ‘Burnout’.
However, many companies still see it as a personal issue and not one related directly with a systematic workplace problem.
Early Warning Signs: Recognising Burnout Before It Escalates
So, what does burnout typically look like in the workplace today and how can we as Employee Therapists and HR specialists address this issue for the long term. Often, the signs at the start are not that visible, most would see it as a little stress. A slight change in mood or attitude towards work colleagues, a change in performance that shows less attention to detail or schedules.
From Subtle Decline to Visible Disengagement
It usually does start with under-performance, senior management noticing tardiness and late submissions as well as an attitude change from a previously strong performer. Burnout has many symptoms, with an Individual’s morale, confidence and personal core values losing their support. This often shows up when there are team meetings and the lack of engagement and participation is noticeable from a usually perky engaged employee. All these signs can happen over a period that is not imminently noticeable by others and can lead to that individual being subjugated to belittlement by others who work in proximity, without the realisation that the employee is withdrawing and unable to be fully present.
The Hidden Weight of Mental Health in the Modern Workplace
Many people have mental health issues, it’s not a small population issue, but nearly 70% of the national population. Many have demonstrated an ability to contain their MH issues, hidden over time from family or work colleagues to create a confident reliable persona. Poor mental health in previous generations was considered detrimental, a negative factor when considering hiring, regardless of the experience. However, due to the recent decade that has reshaped the workplace lifestyle, Covid that created separatism and individualism as a way of life, more employees returning to the workplace find it harder to interact; With greater pressure to perform demanded from employers, as job cuts are driving a culture over over-extension.
Coping Mechanisms and the Rise of Destructive Behaviour Patterns
Employees that had previous mental health issues are now finding they cannot maintain a mental health balance or sustain a consistent pressure related workload without being triggered. More therapists have seen the rise in individuals seeking ways to escape from this pressure, either through absenteeism, sick leave, or deeper with addiction, gambling and pornography. Leading them deeper into financial chaos. The resulting factor is a self-destructive behavioural cycle to a previously well-adjusted family person and employee. If one individual is suffering, that means al least six are feeling the negative effects. Often close work colleagues, personal partners, friends and children.
Burnout as a Systemic Issue: The Ripple Effect on Teams and Families
The impact of burnout is not an individual affair; it’s a collective fallout.
In Part 2: I discuss how in South Africa due to the workplace culture, Is our environment sustainable for the people we employ?