· 21 Nov 2022
It was burnout, not pandemic restrictions that affected mental health in Singapore most during the pandemic.
Singapore’s work culture has its employees putting work over personal life. In a survey of mental health across different Asian societies, Singapore was the only place where burnout was the leading factor affecting mental health during the pandemic.
For many, this looked like waking up just in time for work, continuing overtime and ending the day too tired to do anything else. Months into the process, this can make one feel more like a machine, than a human being.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), burnout is a syndrome that results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is a response from employees that could lead to an underlying problem in the way the workplace is structured. Burnout often comes out in the form of dread, anxiety, irritability and resentment. With these feelings, one can be less productive and withdrawn, both at work and in one’s personal life.
If we don’t address employee burnout, the organisation is at risk. The most important asset to an organisation is its people and its employee wellbeing. If we don’t take care of the wellbeing of the people, then the organisation is at risk.
Below are four tips on how to combat workplace burnout. However, simply caring for ourselves is not the only way to solve the underlying problem. How do we get the conversation started? Who is going to speak up?
Address hard to talk about, taboo topics that most are unwilling and uncomfortable to talk about.
Let employees know that benefits are there for them to use, and that they should always prioritise rest.
Have check-ins or 1-1’s with your employees and create and cultivate an open and trusting space for them to share their thoughts, questions or concerns.
Encourage employees to set boundaries on work