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ABSTRACT
Burnout is a specific reaction of employees to job-stress, which manifests itself on the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (cynicism), and reduced personal accomplishment. Literature has already identified a large number of personal, organizational, and situational factors that may participate in the development or exacerbation of burnout. Even if burnout is mostly produced by different aspects of job-stress, its effects are not limited to the individual's professional life. Burnout may additionally impact the person's physical, emotional, and social life, too. Consequently, the design of efficient prevention and intervention programs is crucial not only for reducing burnout produced financial losses, but also to optimize the employees' quality of life in ensemble. The present paper focuses on the succinct presentation of the increasingly spreading disorder of burnout, followed by the description of most important risk factors, as well as frequent consequences, and the brief discussion of intervention programs, including work engagement.
KEYWORDS: burnout, work stress, job engagement, stress management, intervention.
Introduction
"Work holds a central place in modern life" (Baumeister, 1991, p. 116). It gives us one of the basic means for living (work as a job undertaken for financial reward). To some it may become a significant source of success, achievement, and satisfaction (work as career), while for others it may represent intrinsic motivation, purpose, and a higher meaning in life (work as calling), etc. Specific to Western societies is that the majority of the working class spends more of its waking time working and preparing for work than doing anything else (Baumeister, 1991).
Behind these apparently positive aspects however (money, recognition, meaning-vocation), the situation is not always so rosy. The relationship between the individual and his/her work seems to be much more complex and, in many cases, to some people it may conceal serious traps. One of these pitfalls is represented by the phenomenon known since the 70's under the term of burnout (Maslach, Schaufeli, & Leiter, 2001). Burnout may be produced by the individual's prolonged inability to adapt to job stressors, however its effects do not exclusively impact the individual's professional life and performances. Individuals suffering from burnout cannot shed the inconveniences caused by this disorder at the entrance to their private life - symptoms of burnout may permeate other aspects of...