Burnout as a modern day health hazard. Such is the rise in this phenomenon of professionals working themselves to hell that World Health Organisation recently recognised burnout as an occupational phenomenon impacting health of individuals. Burn-out has been described as a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy are characteristics of this condition. A survey of 2,000 Americans found that 36% of respondents experienced on-the-job burnout every single week while another 56% felt burnt out on the job at least once a month. While we do not have a similar extended survey conducted in India, anecdotal evidence suggests the problem is deep rooted here as well.
According to the WHO, depression and anxiety alone cost global economy approximately one trillion dollars annually due to lost productivity. In fact, the WHO has deemed depression a leading cause of disability. Approximately one-third of the mental health cost burden is related to productivity losses, including unemployment, disability, and lower work performance.
From Neutron Star to a Star: The bright star in us begins to fade exactly as does the neutron star. The neutron star is known to be the brightest, and it works really hard to be big, bold, and impactful, till all the hydrogen runs out. And then it just bursts. The similarity is uncanny and we need to take heed and build resources to conserve our energy and provide us with long lasting productive health.
Remember, that it is the luminary employee that spontaneously combusts. It is the leader who has spent little time nurturing all the other aspects of his life. It is time that we promote the values key to good health and help provide nurturing work environments for our employees.
Having spent almost two decades in the business of wellbeing, our company defined the wellbeing hexagon. It is only when we incorporate a structure of wellbeing through the verticals can one completely flourish. Optimum health is skewed when any of these factors is given less credence than the other/s.
What is important to remember is that a decline of optimal health in any one of the vertical leads to an imbalance and the other pillars compensate for the loss of one until they burnout as well. Over the years organizations have initiated efforts to improve physical health of employees, thereby only focusing on one pillar of health for an individual. But only tending to physical health and skill development programmes tied in with leadership training, as currently done by HR, will not solve the problem. The mindset of employers needs to shift to a new understanding of being the principal providers for good holistic health practices.
Tackling burnout crucial to improving productivity: As consultants, we have documented internally the facade of wellbeing in corporates. There is no holistic structure being adopted. Most companies are creating a jigsaw puzzle of programmes, primarily App based that allows for metric and mathematical impact, but doesn't really implement deep change, especially since they have only 4% of employee sustainability and interaction.
Employers need to become mindful of the burden that employees face. The experience of an overworked mind leads to a lack of motivation, unforeseen errors, lack of positive interactions with the community. Mental health problems have an impact on employers and businesses directly through increased absenteeism, negative impact on productivity and profits, as well as an increase in costs to deal with the issue. In addition, they impact employee morale adversely.
Investing in the holistic health care is not an option now, it is a necessity. It ensures that employees are better equipped to understand how to utilize their abilities positively.
The writer is Dr Prakriti Poddar, Managing Trustee of Poddar Foundation and Director Poddar Wellness Ltd