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The COVID-19 pandemic forced an estimated 42% of the U.S. labor force to work from home, many without warning or preparation (Bloom, 2020). Workers in a range of industries have learned to adapt to this new normal, attending meetings through videoconferencing, creating virtual workflows and exploring new software to replace physical processes.
However, many employees are experiencing a phenomenon that has been exacerbated by the complexity of working from home during a pandemic: burnout.
Burnout is what happens when employees are exposed to more stress than they have resources to cope with. According to World Health Organization (WHO, 2019), it is characterized by "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." Signs of burnout include forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, diminished pride in work, losing sight of goals, and frustration and irritability with coworkers. This can affect life at home as well. Workers suffering from burnout experience difficulty maintaining relationships, being present with loved ones, and enjoying hobbies and time with family. This inability to relax outside of work can result in health effects such as unexplained muscle tension, pain, fatigue and insomnia, as well as increased risk for serious health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and suicide (Mayo Clinic, 2020; Menon et al., 2020 ).
Employees are feeling the effects of this occupational phenomenon more strongly due to the shift to working from home. According to a June 2020 survey, 69% of workers reported experiencing burnout symptoms while working from home during COVID-19, an increase over early May, when 51% reported burnout symptoms (Monster, 2020). A survey from Lloyd's Register (2021) showed that 69% of respondents reported higher levels of work-related stress while working from home; this was attributed to increased workloads and changes to working patterns to meet demands. Are your coworkers making more mistakes than usual, using more negative language than before ("this is impossible"; "I'll never get this done"), or seeming more irritable and less interested in work? They may be suffering from burnout.
There are many reasons why employees may be experiencing burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores a few ways that the pandemic has led to an...