FEELING THE HEAT: How to deal with post-COVID burnout

In March 2020, businesses were forced to alter their operations as COVID-19 began to spread. Many organisations implemented physical distancing measures and fiscal conservatism to manage a drier pipeline of projects. Employees were seeking much-needed job security to support themselves. However, on the flipside of the pandemic, these habits have changed, and a period of COVID fatigue has settled in.

Overnight, the COVID-19 health emergency changed the way businesses operate. The ongoing lockdowns and economic uncertainty led to a major overhaul of the Australian labour market.

This has been particularly felt in the local manufacturing space, which was already stretched prior to the pandemic.

The health emergency cast a variety of challenges—workforce and skills shortages, local supply and demand pressures, and sovereign manufacturing capabilities—into the spotlight even further.

As employers and employees alike weathered the storm, some parts of the world experienced a phenomenon known as the ‘Great Resignation’. In Australia, this has been felt to some extent. Workers who have chosen to stay in their existing jobs are also showing signs of changing attitudes.

Today, one-in-two workers aged between 18 to 54 feel exhausted at work, according to the 2023 State of the Future of Work report from The University of Melbourne. The report found Australian businesses are

at a risk of losing their prime aged workforce because of exhaustion, lack of motivation, and a lack of concentration by younger workers. It recommends workplaces prioritise workplace mental health and provide greater support to address issues like burnout and mental distress.

The World Health Organisation defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon, caused by feelings of exhaustion and depletion, or mental distance from one’s job.

What are the Signs of Burnout?

Australia’s manufacturing sector requires thousands of personnel across a variety of roles and skill levels. In the welding and fabrication sector alone, personnel spend much of the day on their feet and in relatively confined spaces. Welders are exposed to physical and chemical hazards, and safety risks. They operate to high standards of quality, which requires heightened mental focus.

When these experiences are met with a reduced labour force and an ongoing pipeline of new projects, the results can be damaging. At the same time, the pandemic reduced the opportunity to travel and socialise—

two important pillars of a healthy work life balance.

As such, signs of burnout have begun to emerge, including:

• A reduced work life balance

• Long-term stress

• Increased responsibility or working above capacity

• Working towards unrealistic deadlines

• Alack of support

• Unclear direction or professional development

The University of Melbourne’s study focused on the experiences of Australian workers in this context.

Dr Brendan Churchill, who coauthored the report, said workers were in poorer physical and mental health since the pandemic began. “With high rates of fatigue and exhaustion among younger and middle-aged workers, it’s no surprise that over a third of prime aged workers in Australia are considering quitting their jobs.”

As such, managers should be aware of the signs of burnout in their staff and are encouraged to provide a safe and supportive working environment.

Burnout encompass low energy, increased feelings of isolation or disengagement from work, and lower satisfaction and motivation to perform tasks.

In addition, these feelings can shift into your personal life, and include exhaustion or feeling drained, and physical responses like headaches, struggling to sleep or body pain. Burnout typically occurs when an employee experiences these emotions or feelings collectively.

Personnel should be aware of how long these feelings persist, and the severity of them. For example, it is normal to feel tired after a long day on your feet. However, if you have suffered weeks of poor health and it is impacting your physical response, you may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout can be an overwhelming feeling. However, it can be managed effectively. Welding professionals are encouraged to work together to help manage the risks of burnout, and the safe return of colleagues into the sector.

Dr Churchill from the University of Melbourne said organisations should be aware of the signs and work towards a positive work life balance. “Australian workplaces must prioritise workers’ well-being into the recovery to provide greater support in addressing burnout and mental distress.”

There are a variety of tools and techniques to help manage burnout on your work floor:

• Saying ‘no’ to new projects when the team is at capacity of overstretched

• Managing expectations and timelines based on employee output

• Speaking up when personnel begin experiencing burnout

• Ensuring there is a safe and supportive environment for employees

• Encouraging work life balance

Open communication and a supportive work environment are two crucial areas to help employees manage the early onset of stress, fatigue, or exhaustion.

Burnout can be managed when the correct processes are in place at your workplace. Welding Supervisors and management have a key role to play in protecting the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of their staff.