World Health Organization officially recognizes ‘burnout’ as a medical condition
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases, will globally-recognized “burn-out” as a medical condition as of 2020.
The WHO defines burn-out as “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”.
Americans are working longer and harder than ever before. From a business standpoint, the WHO’s recognition of burnout as a potential medical diagnosis should be a serious wakeup call to employers. It’s a direct result of stress that hasn’t been dealt with properly. And burnt-out employees simply can’t do their jobs as well.
According to the WHO, burnout — “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” — is characterized by three distinct dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
- Reduced professional efficacy
Don’t dismiss burn-out as just some millennial jargon but understand that it has a real health effect on your body. The WHO plans to develop “evidence-based” guidelines for mental well-being in the workplace.
Take this quiz here, by Mind Tools to see if you, are in fact, burnt out.
