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I’ve been experiencing burn out and would like to know what people/managers think is an appropriate response to that.

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Anonymous

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I’ve been experiencing burn out and would like to know what people/managers think is an appropriate response to that.

I have been undergoing a lot of stress due to complexity of projects and the sheer number of projects I have taken on (I work on an editorial team that manages medical content for health care professionals). Though I love what I do (and I have experienced periods of work stress that are usually transient), I have found that lately some of the projects have been prolonged unnecessarily and have found myself increasingly discouraged over the last few months about how the projects I have been working on have been going, particularly in having to collaborate with people that don’t seem motivated to find solutions or move things forward (while still striving for the highest quality output). Even after getting some other tasks unloaded onto others and also receiving a promotion (and overall getting really great feedback on my work product), these feelings and other adverse feelings (weariness, lack of drive) have persisted. I spoke to my boss about this and his primary response was “are you seeing a therapist to deal with the stress?” While I appreciate that I have a rather neurotic personality and I don’t think it’s news that I have work-related anxiety that could perhaps be helped by a therapist, I feel the issue is much deeper than just my anxiety and personal experience. A large portion of my team has left in the last couple of years (some due to natural separation but others were I suspect due to these never-ending large volume projects that are constantly changed or not clear on their scope/breadth, level of detail and the lack of overall accountability/direction on the part of senior members and leadership). It seems like my manager should offer me more advice than to see a therapist or use EAP because of the lack of clear expectations and how that affects my work product and happiness overall; perhaps he’s just not divulging further plans and will try to do more.

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  1. Anonymous

    This is an interesting narrative. If a direct report came to me with these complaints, I would have offered the same advice about a therapist and EAP. Employer / Supervisor management of your mental health issues is delicate. I'm sorry you're experience all of this stress and anxiety (I also have GAD and Panic Disorder) but your trigger, your responsibility.

    What I'm not seeing in your post, however, is what assistance you were actually seeking from your boss. Did you ask him for specific kinds of support...like additional head count or a temp to help with high volume projects. Or did you approach them with this series of complaints and to reiterate that you were stressed?

    I've seen a colleague very effectively use data to make the case for additional support. She created a couple of quick slides that illustrated a percentage increase in regulatory reporting obligations, larger volumes of payment processing, etc. to secure more resources.

    If you want your manager to give you detailed advice on managing your work load then I'd get really specific in where you most need their support.

  2. Anonymous

    I agree that therapy and EAP is a good option, but as I mentioned, it doesn’t seem like this is just a “me” issue. He actually initiated the discussion with me because I used up a lot of my vacation time recently to get a break, and I opened up about being burned out though I’ve voiced complaints increasingly over the last few months. I had hoped that rest and relaxation would help me feel revitalized. I also asked him directly whether I was the only one with complaints and he said no. I guess it depends on the circumstances what would work best - I think there is a bit of a boundary issue with me (navigating work-life balance in a remote environment).

    I agree also with and have employed the tactics you describe, whereby when I have been overworked (and frankly misused) and presented a detailed report on exactly how much of my time each week was being used for various tasks, and it resulted in him taking action to remove those. I appreciated that, but I did that of my own accord after voicing concerns about workload.

  3. Anonymous

    I agree with you that therapy could help you. However, I find it awful that all your boss had to say was for you to seek that. Loving what we do for others can be very satisfying and draining. A lot of people over the last few years have suffered greatly. Not only are many of us burned out, but we have lost many via Covid and life threw us a curve ball and a lot of people think we should go back to normal. Now, all of a sudden I hear and read about our mental health. That should have been out there all along, but sometimes it takes others a long time to catch up. I too have work stress that comes in cycles. I have been in a previous career where there were no cycles, it was go go go all the time and burn out is real. My suggestion dear reader is to consider taking your skills somewhere else that you can enjoy a balance between your work and your home life. Life is too short to short change yourself thinking the work has to be done or what? The world will not end if projects are not done. But if you are like me, we are wired differently whereas I must get it all done. Down time, and maybe a new environment will help ease that for you. Hang in there!

  4. Anonymous

    With the limited information here, it sounds like you need to start using the word "No." If doing that is part of your problem, therapy can help you learn how to set healthier boundaries. I also agree that "see a therapist" was a knee-jerk reaction by your manager, but I also see it as something they would not hold against you if you did. Contacting your EAP should be your first step.

  5. Anonymous

    Agreed, I am definitely open to therapy as a first step. It’s a fair point - it’s hard for me to explain the specifics of my current situation because there are so many aspects to it - but I feel that the larger issue is systemic to the workplace or at least my team (other teams don’t have the attrition issues that mine does).

  6. Anonymous

    Contact EAP, start regular therapy and start looking for a new job. If you’ve asked for clear expectations and you don’t ever get it and this is why projects never end and other people leave or are let go, even with a therapist, if you can’t get what you need from your current company - leave for one that is a better fit for you. It’s ok for you to expect clear expectations from your boss or whoever dictates the projects

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