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Work Overload and Burnout

Work overload leading to burnout is an increasing OHS risk especially in highly demanding or skilled work. The following series of short videos from Professor Michael Leiter discusses burnout. Professor Leiter is Professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology in the School of Psychology (Faculty of Health, Deakin University).

The videos importantly discuss what you can do about burnout, as somebody at risk, as a colleague and as a manager.

Of particular note in the videos is the impact of incivility in the workplace and the critical role of the supervisor.

Video

Topic

Length

1

What is burnout?

  • Exhausted + Disengaged + Discouraged
  • Opposite to engagement
  • Distinguish from exhaustion, cynicism and inefficiency

9 minutes

2

How does burnout occur (part 1)?

  • The two processes of burnout: energy and values
  • Looking first at energy

10 minutes

3

How does burnout occur (part 2)?

  • Looking at values
  • Belonging / Autonomy / Efficacy
  • The role of recognition in effective management

10 minutes

4

Taking action to prevent burnout: prevention and recovery strategies

5 minutes

5

Taking action to prevent burnout: job crafting

Job crafting is the process of nudging your work into a better fit consisting of:

  • Reflecting on now
  • Imagining a better fit
  • Identifying appropriate “nudges”
  • Developing an action plan

6 minutes

6

Burnout and working relationships: incivility

  • The power of relationships in the workplace
  • The corrosive effects of incivility in the workplace

7 minutes

7

Burnout and working relationships: the impact of supervisors

  • What is the evidence telling us?

9 minutes

8

Case study: strengthening culture through workgroup action (part 1)

  • You can learn civility and reduce burnout in a sustainable way
  • Five steps to changing the dynamics

12 minutes

9

Case study: strengthening culture through workgroup action (part 2)

8 minutes

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