Burnout – What HR Needs to Know

10 Part Blog Series: Understanding & Combating Burnout in the Workplace

Part 1: Introduction to Burnout – What HR Needs to Know

Burnout is no longer a buzzword—it’s a reality that many employees and organisations are facing around the world every single day.

As HR professionals, you cannot afford to ignore the impact Burnout has on you, your people and the wider organisation

But what exactly is Burnout?

You might be familiar with the term, but do you truly understand what it means for you as an HR leader and for the people you're responsible for?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwork.

It’s not just a bit of workplace fatigue—it’s a serious condition that can affect an employee’s ability to perform at their best and, if left unaddressed, can lead to disengagement, attrition, and even serious health problems.

Burnout impacts decision making, confidence and feelings of self worth, and it can impact your brain and body in the same way as trauma.

The Three Key Components of Burnout

Burnout doesn’t show up in a single moment—it creeps in gradually. Three key signs are:

1. Emotional Exhaustion: People feel drained, overwhelmed, and unable to meet the demands placed on them. It’s a sense of running on empty, with no reserves left to keep going.
2. Depersonalisation: When people start feeling disconnected or detached from their work, their colleagues, or even their purpose, Burnout starts to take root. They may become cynical, sarcastic, or disengaged.
3. Reduced Personal Accomplishment: People at Burnout feel they’re not achieving or contributing anything of value. This affects their self-worth and often leads to feelings of inadequacy.

Why Burnout Matters to HR

Here’s the hard truth: if your people and YOU are reaching Burnout your organisation will pay the price.

Burnout leads to higher turnover, decreased productivity, and lower morale.

It impacts creativity, engagement, and the overall culture of the business.

Worse, it doesn’t just affect the person who is at Burnout—it spreads like wildfire.

Burnout can be hugely costly.

According to studies, the cost of Burnout-related absenteeism, disengagement, and turnover can run into the millions annually.

But it’s not just about the numbers; Burnout damages trust and relationships, and takes away that spark of passion from your people who once cared deeply about their work.

As an HR leader, you can no longer afford to treat Burnout as something that’s "not my problem." It is your problem, and it’s time to act.

HR’s Critical Role in Burnout Prevention

You often talk about supporting people, but what about supporting yourselves?

The irony is that you—HR professionals—are often the last ones to recognise your own Burnout.

When you focus so heavily on others’ wellbeing, you can neglect your own, and that’s where the danger lies. As the perhaps cliché goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup.

HR leaders who experience burnout themselves are less effective in spotting the signs in others, less empathetic when supporting people, and more likely to contribute to the problem rather than the solution.

This is why understanding Burnout is so important—not just for your people but for your own career and wellbeing.

The more you understand how Burnout manifests, the more effective you’ll be at preventing and responding to it. But more importantly, you need to care for yourself, too.

You need to put yourself in a position where you can lead your organisation through Burnout prevention—not just administratively, but personally, with the understanding and empathy that comes from deep knowledge and awareness.

Taking Action: Train with Me in the Burnout Academy

Understanding Burnout is only the first step.

To truly make a difference, you need to dive deeper into the causes, solutions, and preventative measures that will protect your employees—and you—from the devastating effects of Burnout.

That’s where the Burnout Academy comes in.

It’s time to stop being passive about Burnout and start actively building strategies that protect both you and your people.

Join me in the Burnout Academy, where you’ll gain the tools, strategies, and confidence to not only identify and address Burnout within your organisation but also ensure your own wellbeing is prioritised as a leader.

It’s time to learn, lead, and thrive.

Kelly