5 Signs of Burnout in the Workplace (and What to Do About It)

5 Signs of Burnout in the Workplace (and What to Do About It)

Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that can derail productivity, motivation, and even long-term health. As a corporate wellness provider, we see burnout becoming more common across industries, especially in high-pressure, fast-paced work environments.

Here are 5 key signs to watch for—and what your company can do to help prevent burnout from spreading:

1. Constant Fatigue (Even After Rest)

Employees report feeling drained all the time—even after weekends or vacations. This isn’t laziness; it’s a signal of mental overload and depleted reserves.

✅ Solution: Encourage restorative breaks during the day. Implement “unplugged hours” or no-meeting zones to allow true recovery.

2. Decreased Performance

When once-reliable employees start missing deadlines, making mistakes, or showing up disengaged, burnout may be to blame—not a lack of ability.

✅ Solution: Reevaluate workloads. Consider wellness coaching or HR check-ins to redistribute demands more evenly.

3. Emotional Detachment or Cynicism

Burned-out team members often become emotionally numb or disconnected from their work. They may use sarcasm or seem unusually negative.

✅ Solution: Create a supportive work culture. Train managers to recognize signs and start open, judgment-free conversations.

4. Increased Irritability or Conflict

Short tempers, miscommunications, or uncharacteristic arguments may point to stress overload.

✅ Solution: Offer emotional resilience training and normalize the conversation around mental wellness at work.

5. Physical Symptoms

Headaches, sleep problems, digestive issues, or frequent illness can all stem from chronic stress and unaddressed burnout.

✅ Solution: Launch a wellness challenge or onsite resources like mindfulness sessions, nutrition tips, or ergonomic assessments.

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