Burnout syndrome and returning from vacation

We have been listening to companies talk about the so-called Burnout Syndrome for some time. Swapping relaxing days on the beach or in the mountains for long office days isn't easy. Going back to the routine can discourage you or affect your mood. You may even feel a little depressed, and on many occasions, it can be the last straw.

But what is Burnout syndrome and how can it be prevented in the team?

What is Burnout Syndrome?

Burnout Syndrome, also called Burnt Worker Syndrome or Emotional Exhaustion Syndrome, is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be an occupational disease that causes physical and mental exhaustion of the worker. Some of the factors that can cause the symptoms of burnout are: a bad work environment, work overload, toxic colleagues or bosses, lack of communication, among others.

This exhaustion can directly affect the worker's life, but also, the company's performance. Therefore, it is very important to know what the symptoms of Burnout syndrome are and, above all, how HR can do to manage and prevent it.

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Burnout Syndrome: Main Symptoms

First of all, it is important to mention that Burnout Syndrome can sometimes be confused with work stress. However, their symptoms are different, and above all, much more intense. Burnout syndrome can have different symptoms depending on the person. The three key signs are: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and little fulfillment.

However, they can also differentiate into physical symptoms such as:

• Frequent headache
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Trouble breathing
• Insomnia

And psychological symptoms:

• Low involvement at work (including work absenteeism)
• Social distancing
• Frustration
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Difficulty making decisions

How to prevent Burnout Syndrome in the company?

Burnout syndrome must be addressed from within the company, preparing an action plan that includes initiatives for change both at the organizational and psychological levels.

Aspects that the company must take into account when treating and preventing Burnout Syndrome:

- Reduce stress

The organization must provide workers with useful tools that allow them to face their daily tasks and projects without stress and reducing anxiety. One way to reduce work overload, for example, would be to offer a reduction in the working day until symptoms improve.

- Communication

Internal communication is key within work teams. Working on it is essential to make your workers feel more motivated, productive and happy, and, above all, it helps to reduce occupational diseases such as this one. Therefore, it is important that the worker feels comfortable and confident to speak in an assertive and calm manner, without pressure or arguments. The objective is to create a calm environment through which to know what are the causes that are causing Burnout Syndrome and its symptoms, and what the person needs.

- Activities with the team

Lcarrying out team building activities, corporate events, can be examples of actions that contribute to generating a good working environment.

These are just some of the practices that can be carried out, but above all you have to listen to the worker at all times to be able to detect possible symptoms and prevent them in advance.

How to prevent a slump after a vacation?

We must try to prevent or minimize all these symptoms of “post-vacation depression” as much as possible in order to recharge batteries and not neglect work performance.

Therefore, some guidelines to help your employees cope with returning to the office could be:

Back to the flexible office: Try to set up a re-entry week for those returning from vacation. As far as you can, try to leave a margin of time for entering the office, giving rise to teleworking.

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Take an interest in your employees: Ask your employees if they have disconnected 100% during their holidays or have been tense waiting for a call or checking the email. Disconnection is essential if we want to have productive and satisfied employees.

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Update them: September is a time for new hires and HR activity is increasing. Keep your employees informed about whether there will be any additions, review objectives, get up to date and make sure that everyone is heading in the same direction.

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Welcome to the team. Our employees return after weeks or months away from the office. We must leave a few hours or the whole day for them to catch up, you can organize a breakfast or lunch with the whole team, let them adapt, discuss with their teammates so they can give 100%.

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