Addressing Burnout in the Canadian Workforce

  Novemberr 5, 2024

SEB Marketing Team

Burnout is not a new issue, but it has gained greater visibility in recent years, particularly as the conversation around mental health in the workplace has evolved. In the past, many employees felt pressured to prioritize work over their health, often working through sickness or personal challenges in silence. Now, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of mental wellness and work-life balance. It’s essential to understand its common symptoms so employers will know how they can better support their teams.

Recognizing Common Burnout Symptoms

Burnout manifests in several ways, often subtly in the beginning, and with a gradual accumulation of symptoms over time if not addressed. Recognizing the early signs is key to preventing it from worsening. Here are some common symptoms:

• Chronic Fatigue: Feeling physically and emotionally drained, even after rest.
• Decreased Productivity: Difficulty concentrating, frequent mistakes, and a decline in work quality.
• Cynicism and Detachment: Increased negativity or frustration towards work, colleagues, or clients.
• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach issues, and recurring illnesses due to weakened immune function.
• Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, and disillusioned with your role or company.

By understanding these symptoms, employees can take steps to protect their wellbeing, and employers can intervene before burnout becomes critical. 

What Employees Can Do to Address Burnout

Set Boundaries: It’s crucial for employees to set clear boundaries and avoid overextending themselves, particularly when they’re unwell. Forcing yourself to work when sick can lead to long-term burnout. This can be true especially for remote work. Because the lines between personal and professional time can be blurred, it can be all too easy to keep working beyond regular hours or feel compelled to work while sick. Take time off when needed, and don’t feel guilty for using sick days to recover mentally, as well as physically.

Take Breaks Without Guilt: Recognize when you are pushing yourself too hard. Many employees fear that taking time off, breaks or stepping away from their desks might be perceived as a lack of commitment. However, regular vacations and breaks are essential for maintaining focus and avoiding mental exhaustion. Whether it’s stepping outside for fresh air or taking a short mental health day – if you’re experiencing burnout symptoms, prioritize your health over productivity.

Communicate with Your Manager: Speaking up about feeling burned out can be intimidating, but it’s important to be transparent with your manager if you’re struggling. Open conversations about increased workloads, deadlines, and pressure to meet expectations can often lead to adjustments that benefit both the employee and the team. If the company has mental health resources or programs in place, employees should feel encouraged to use them. 

How Employers Can Help

Promote a Shift Toward Health and Wellness: Employers can actively promote a culture that values employee wellbeing. Encouraging a work-life balance and creating policies that support mental and physical health show that the organization truly cares for its workforce. This can include implementing wellness programs, encouraging the use of mental health days, and promoting flexible working arrangements.

Encourage Time Off and Disconnecting: Organizations can normalize taking time off, especially for mental health reasons, and ensure that employees don’t feel pressured to be available 24/7. Employers should also discourage the expectation that employees must be “on-call” during vacations or time off; instead, encourage a complete disconnection from work during vacations or sick days which can prevent the accumulation of stress. Employers should also discourage the culture of working while sick, even remotely.

Train Managers to Recognize and Address Burnout: Managers are in a unique position to notice early signs of burnout. Proper training can equip them to recognize these signs and proactively support employees. Regular check-ins, adjusting workloads when necessary, and creating an open-door policy for discussing mental health can all make a significant difference.

Create a Supportive and Flexible Work Environment: A flexible work environment—whether through hybrid schedules, remote work options, or flexible hours—allows employees to better balance personal and professional responsibilities. Additionally, fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges without fear of repercussions is crucial to addressing burnout at its root.

Burnout is increasingly being recognized as a serious issue that requires thoughtful and proactive measures from employers. As more attention is given to employee wellbeing, companies are moving away from traditional attitudes that prioritized work above all else. Both employees and employers must take proactive steps to ensure that work environments support health and wellness. By recognizing the symptoms early, addressing burnout openly, and fostering a supportive culture, businesses can protect the wellbeing of their teams while maintaining productivity.