Stressed out? Signs you may be at risk of burnout

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Joanne Swann
In a small booth-like setting, a person sits at a table with a sticker-covered laptop. They hold their head in one hand, exuding palpable burnout.

In Britain, 17.1 million working days were lost due to stress, depression, or anxiety during 2022/23 alone. According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults felt so stressed in the past year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope, reflecting the desperate need to address workplace burnout.

1 in 6 calls to the Health Assured helpline so far in 2024 are related to stress, compared to 2020, when 1 in 9 calls were stress related. This clearly shows the increased pressure that people are under every day.

Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, emphasises the need to address stress proactively in the workplace, challenging the notion that it’s an unavoidable part of modern life. He warns that untreated stress can lead to burnout, which in turn poses risks of chronic physical and mental health conditions like heart disease and depression. Burnout, he adds, is both misunderstood and stigmatised, often resulting in costly impacts on employees’ health and employers’ productivity.

Stern-Gillet advises employers to consider a stress audit if they notice high rates of sickness absence or disciplinary issues, suggesting an examination of workplace culture, workloads, and deadlines to ensure employees receive adequate support. 

For employees, he highlights the importance of managing stress through small, consistent wellness practices, such as setting boundaries, taking breaks, and structuring work to avoid multitasking. Additionally, he recommends engaging in activities like exercise and meditation outside of work for mental stability.

While a small amount of stress can enhance performance, excessive stress can lead to serious health issues, underscoring the importance of balance.

Recognising burnout – employee first steps

When employees recognise early signs of burnout, taking immediate steps can make a significant difference. Start by…

  • Setting aside regular time for self-reflection to identify specific sources of stress, whether it’s workload, deadlines, or unclear expectations. 
  • Prioritise tasks and consider breaking them into manageable steps to reduce feelings of overwhelm. Establishing firm boundaries—such as limiting after-hours work and scheduling regular breaks throughout the day—can also help restore balance. 
  • Seek support from trusted colleagues or a supervisor, as discussing concerns often brings new perspectives or potential adjustments. 
  • Incorporate small, calming activities like short walks, breathing exercises, or mindful pauses can provide relief and replenish energy levels.

Recognising burnout – employer first steps

After recognising burnout within their workforce, employers can take initial steps to address the issue by opening up lines of communication and encouraging honest discussions about workload pressures and mental health. 

Setting up regular one-to-one check-ins allows employees to voice their concerns and can help managers identify early signs of stress. Employers should also provide accessible mental health resources, such as counselling services or access to wellbeing apps, to offer employees immediate support. 

Additionally, adjusting workloads and allowing flexible schedules can give employees the necessary time to recover, helping to prevent the escalation of stress-related issues.

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

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