Construction Law
Workplace Burnout: The Newest Occupational Hazard
Do you or your workers ever feel burnt out at work? This isn’t a rare phenomena, but it will have greater implications on the workplace after a recent revision by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has traditionally defined burnout as a “state of vital exhaustion” pertaining to life-management difficulty. However, this condition is now being classified as an occupational hazard.
In a recent statement, WHO explained its revision by noting that “Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”
In this article, the Naples construction lawyers at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants will provide you with all the information you should know about workplace burnout and how it may affect your projects and business as a whole.
Breaking Down Workplace Burnout
WHO does not explicitly define workplace burnout as a medical condition, but, in some ways, it is being treated as such. They purport that burnout can be classified by three factors, “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” Employees suffering from burnout should be encouraged to contact health services. In the past, burnout has lead to such high levels of stress that people have committed suicide. This explains why the misunderstood syndrome is being classified as an epidemic in some circles. When workers are taken advantage of, they become burnt out, and it only gets worse from there. Some of the main reasons why workers experience burnout include:
- They feel that they aren’t adequately compensated
- They are pressured to skip days off
- They are forced to work beyond their physical limitations
- They are insecure about their job security
What Should Contractors Do?
If you want to fight back against burnout, remember to treat your workers with respect and maintain an open door policy that allows them to air their grievances. As WHO develops “evidence-based” guidelines to help improve the mental wellbeing of workers, contractors should take it upon themselves to fight back against the types of actions that lead to burnout. This can help you preserve the health and wellness of your workforce while simultaneously creating a tight-knit “work family” that supports each other and helps minimize the effects of burnout. If your workers start to exhibit signs of burnout, consult the Naples construction attorneys at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants for advice on how to avoid any legal complications that may occur as a result.
If you would like to speak with a Naples construction attorney, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.