5 factors that contributes to burnout in the IT sector

Professionals working in the IT sector have common stressors that can make their jobs more difficult to manage than they should be. Lack of information in their tasks, not fluid communication channels, confusion in the leaders to contact when facing blockroads and countless technical details make their work specifically frustrating.

Stress, anxiety and burnout are daily issues in the lives of workers. Suicide rates are reaching historic highs, that is why safe and healthy work environments are not only a fundamental right, but also substantially improve employee loyalty, performance and productivity.

What are we doing as teammates to promote a culture of well-being in the workplace? 

What are we doing and what are we not doing as leaders and Human Resources departments to monitor the mental health of employees?

With that said, are you sure you really understand the term burnout?

Burnout is a relatively recent concept. Since it has gained such popularity in recent years, the majority of individuals believe they are fully aware of what burnout is. Burnout is described as “the extinction of drive or incentive, especially where one’s devotion to a cause or relationship fails to yield the intended results”. It can be characterized as a feeling of physical and emotional tiredness and frequently happens when someone is under constant stress at work or spends a long time in a physically or emotionally taxing position.

Let’s divide the symptomatology of burnout into physical and mental consequences to have a deeper look at it and at ourselves.

Mental Burnout Symptoms

Burnout can also have an emotional and psychological impact. Here are some of the most common mental burnout symptoms:

• ‍Concentration problems
• Depressed state
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Loss of interest or enjoyment
• Suicidal thoughts

Do you work in a high-stress environment? Don’t be concerned! 

That does not preclude you from experiencing burnout. The key is to effectively manage your stress. It is important to note that some people (such as those who work in high-stress jobs) are more prone to burnout.

Physical Symptoms

If you are suffering from burnout, your body will most likely alert you. According to research, some of the most common physical burnout symptoms are:

• Gastrointestinal issues
• Blood pressure is high.
• Immune system dysfunction (getting sick more often)
• Recurrent headaches
• Sleeping difficulties (the inability to turn off your mind)

‍All of these symptoms are the result of burnout and chronic stress. It is beneficial to be aware of how stress can affect the body in general. Chronic stress can manifest physically as more aches and pains, lower energy levels, and changes in appetite.

According to multiple studies, five job factors can contribute to employee burnout:

Unreasonable deadlines

Employees who say they have enough time to do their work are 70% less likely to experience burnout, whereas those who work under strict time constraints (such as paramedics and firefighters) are more likely to experience burnout. ‍‍

Management’s lack of communication and support

Manager assistance provides a psychological buffer against stress. Employees who feel strongly supported by their manager are 70% less likely to experience regular burnout symptoms. ‍‍ 

Uncertainty about one’s role

Only 60% of employees understand what is expected of them. Employees may become exhausted simply trying to figure out what they are supposed to be doing when expectations are like moving targets.

Overwhelming workload

Even the most optimistic employees will feel hopeless when their workload becomes unmanageable. Overwhelming feelings can quickly lead to burnout symptoms.

Inequitable treatment

Employees who believe they are being treated unfairly at work are 2/3 times more likely to be burned out. Favoritism, unfair compensation, and mistreatment by a coworker are examples of unfair treatment.

The stress that contributes to burnout is often caused by your job, but stressors from other areas of your life can also contribute. Perfectionism and pessimism, for example, are personality traits and thought patterns that can contribute to stress. So, a good way to deal with this is to be optimistic, handle all the roadblocks on your job, and try to take it easy, and focus on what each of us can control.

Let’s take care! Let’s be vigilant!

Let’s support the one who is quieter than usual, let’s be for that colleague who always seems to be able to do everything without asking for help, and let’s listen to those who haven’t been sleeping well for weeks. We must be able to talk about mental health at work, free of shame and stigma, and receive support without fear of losing respect or losing work.