ABSTRACT
This chapter details that burnout is more likely in the ‘people professions’. These roles involve regular and usually demanding interactions with other people, and combine high levels of responsibility with the requirement for compassionate care. Doctors, nurses, teachers, vets, police, clergy, managers and lawyers, among others, are at high risk, as are full-time carers at home. There is also an increased risk of burnout in employees in their mid-30s and younger, those who are single and those with higher education levels. Those now in their 40s and 50s are also under pressure: as well as mid-career work obligations they are juggling parenting duties. IT workers are the newest recruits to burnout. The global digital world as well as offering exciting new work propels the demands of technology changes that make for a stressful work environment. Presently organisations in Britain, the Americas and most of Europe have a formal duty of care to protect employees from workplace hazards, but there is no general policy mandating protection from work-related burnout. Because of the potential risks and impact on job performance, if for no other reason, it’s important for workplaces to take appropriate precautions to reduce potential liability and have policies in place now.
