OHS-WHS
Burnout is on the rise. It is a growing
problem for the modern workplace,
having an impact on organisational costs,
as well as employee health and well-
being. These include possible long-term
health risks and, due to its contagious
nature, a toxic working environment of
low morale, scapegoating, and increased
office politics.
The annual cost of burnout to the global
economy has been estimated to be £255
billion. Such costs have led to the World
Health Organisation predicting a global
pandemic within a decade.
Organisations have focused on burnout
to protect their profits, placing blame
for lowered performance on individual
employees, rather than making adequate
adjustments to safeguard against stress.
This emphasis on the employee has
led to psychometrically profiling those
that may be at risk of burnout due to
their psychological make-up, rather
than organisations taking responsibility
and making systematic changes to
reduce stress caused by structural level
problems.
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2017
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