Work can be stressful enough without having to watch a co-worker experience burnout with their job and having to pick up their slack.
“Burnout is a disorder of hope. It sucks the life out of competent, hardworking people. You lose motivation and vitality,”
Dr. Joan Borysenko, Harvard-educated psychologist and author told The Daily Mail.
There are, however, ways to help co-workers who may be experiencing workplace burnout before their negative vibes and lower productivity affect you. Co-workers can encourage their peers to seek help for the stress-induced condition, encourage better lifestyle choices, or simply offer their friendship and support.
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The first step in helping a co-worker deal with burnout is to recognize the signs. Below are five tell-tale signs that your co-worker may be burned out:
1. They Seem Bored
If your co-worker no longer seems excited for new projects or assignments or is less than eager to take on new clients, it might be because they are burned out. The job they once found enjoyment and a sense of fulfillment in now may feel like a monotonous habit.
2. They Are Always Tired
When a co-worker’s exhaustion goes beyond the typical Monday morning blues, their fatigue could be a sign of prolonged stress from a job where they feel detached. Burned-out workers may only look forward to when they can leave or may just neglect doing work.
3. They Snap at You
Irritability is a tell-tale sign of workplace burnout. Everyone has their bad days, but if a co-worker is always grouchy, their behavior could be a sign of something more. In a job where someone is not satisfied, even the little things may start to bother them.
4. You Find Yourself Doing Their Work
Burned-out workers tend to be less productive. If you notice your co-worker is no longer doing as much work as they did in their prime, something may be wrong. Some workers who are burned out may accomplish less work because they are bored, overwhelmed, or have lost focus.
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5. They Want What You Have
Jealousy is another common sign of workplace burnout. Burned-out workers constantly compare themselves to others because they may be feeling a depleted sense of self-worth and satisfaction in what they have. Especially amid their possibly lower productivity, a burned-out co-worker may envy your positive attitude, efficiency, job position, or life outside of the office.
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