Frequency of burnout at work by workers in Australia in 2022, by working arrangement

In a survey conducted amongst full-time employees in Australia in September 2022, respondents who commenced working at home after COVID-19 and respondents who returned to their work premises after working from home were the most likely to report feeling burnout sometimes or often. Those who travel for work were the most likely to report rarely experiencing burnout.

What is burnout?

The coronavirus pandemic and the shift to working from home brought the phenomenon of burnout to the limelight. First coined in 1974, the term ‘burnout’ refers to a state of exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. The exhaustion may be physical, emotional, or mental, and common symptoms include feelings of tiredness, helplessness, self-doubt, and overwhelm, to name a few. Burnout can be the result of varying factors including money concerns, work, social isolation, physical health, and relationships, among other issues of personal concern.

Stress vs. Burnout – what is the difference?

Burnout may be caused by excessive stress, however, they are characteristically not the same. When experiencing stress, people are often still able to function. Stressed people may experience feelings of urgency and increased anxiety, as opposed to the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness felt by people suffering from burnout. Behind COVID-19, cancer, and mental health, stress was considered one of the biggest health issues facing the world in 2021. Stress is often considered negative, but positive stress exists, too. Examples of positive stress or ‘eustress’ include working out or physically challenging your body or taking on a challenging but manageable project at work.