In broader terms the lifestyle calming balance and or our lifestyle choices will determine how quickly you burn out. According to a survey conducted by the National Life Insurance Company, four out of ten U.S. employees state that their jobs are "very" or "extremely" stressful. Those in high-stress jobs are three times more likely than others to suffer from stress-related medical conditions and are twice as likely to quit. The study states that women, in particular, report stress related to the conflict between work and family life.
The Compulsion to Prove Oneself
At the top of the organizational hierarchy, the majority of individuals are males, and assumptions can be made regarding their lack of personal experience with the direct and indirect effects of the work-family conflict. Often at the beginning of ones career there is an excess of ambition and the desire to prove ones self, this desire turns into a level of determination and compulsion that drives not only how we function at work but also at home. Thus the desire to achieve these high goals and expectations may collide with physical, emotional and mental exhaustion resulting from an inability to achieve them, which can lead to a type of burnout that may involve even a reflection on the failure to find meaning and growth in life.
At the top of the organizational hierarchy, the majority of individuals are males, and assumptions can be made regarding their lack of personal experience with the direct and indirect effects of the work-family conflict. Often at the beginning of ones career there is an excess of ambition and the desire to prove ones self, this desire turns into a level of determination and compulsion that drives not only how we function at work but also at home. Thus the desire to achieve these high goals and expectations may collide with physical, emotional and mental exhaustion resulting from an inability to achieve them, which can lead to a type of burnout that may involve even a reflection on the failure to find meaning and growth in life.
Neglecting Their Needs
Since they have devoted everything to work, they now have no time and energy for anything else. Friends and family, eating, and sleeping, start to become seen as unnecessary, secondary or unimportant and the home life will begin to suffer from this obsession. Being successful does require hard work and dedication, however some will take it to a level that is unhealthy, not only for themselves but their families as well. By working in an organization, people also tend to identify themselves, to some extent, with the organization, or being part of a collective group, the values, norms and interests of the group become incorporated into their lifestyle and their attitudes and it begins to be their identity, where their position at work becomes their position in life and at home.
Since they have devoted everything to work, they now have no time and energy for anything else. Friends and family, eating, and sleeping, start to become seen as unnecessary, secondary or unimportant and the home life will begin to suffer from this obsession. Being successful does require hard work and dedication, however some will take it to a level that is unhealthy, not only for themselves but their families as well. By working in an organization, people also tend to identify themselves, to some extent, with the organization, or being part of a collective group, the values, norms and interests of the group become incorporated into their lifestyle and their attitudes and it begins to be their identity, where their position at work becomes their position in life and at home.
Role of the sole Provider
People are normally aware of what they are doing and know it is not right, but they are unable to see the source of the problem or will ignore it. This could lead to a crisis and become threatening to the family life and men more often then not face unequal opportunity to family as they are expected to be the financial supporter of the family. Over the past two decades however, we have seen a sharp decline in men's position as the sole provider, in part by growing female labor participation and in part by the weakening of men's absolute power due to increased rates of unemployment and underemployment. |
Working Harder
Because they have to prove themselves to others or try to fit in an organization that does not suit them, people establish high personal expectations. In order to meet these expectations, they tend to focus only on work while they take on more work than they usually would. It may happen that they become obsessed with doing everything themselves. This will show that they are irreplaceable since they are able to do so much work without enlisting the help of others. The reality of what employee’s experience, specifically in regards to work-life balance, is a direct result of power operating covertly through ideological controls. This is seen in the ideological norm of the "ideal worker syndrome." Many organizations view the ideal worker as one who is committed to their work above all else. Ideal workers are those that demonstrate extra-role behaviors, which are seen as positive attributes.
Because they have to prove themselves to others or try to fit in an organization that does not suit them, people establish high personal expectations. In order to meet these expectations, they tend to focus only on work while they take on more work than they usually would. It may happen that they become obsessed with doing everything themselves. This will show that they are irreplaceable since they are able to do so much work without enlisting the help of others. The reality of what employee’s experience, specifically in regards to work-life balance, is a direct result of power operating covertly through ideological controls. This is seen in the ideological norm of the "ideal worker syndrome." Many organizations view the ideal worker as one who is committed to their work above all else. Ideal workers are those that demonstrate extra-role behaviors, which are seen as positive attributes.
Women’s growing earning power and commitment to the paid workforce together with the stagnation of men’s social mobility make some families more financially dependent on women. As a result, the foundation of the male dominance structure has been eroded and now has caused concern for burnout in women, who will not only work but are also the primary care givers for the family.
Denial of Emerging Problems
Men and women both will isolate themselves from each other to avoid conflicts, and fall into a state of denial towards their basic physical needs and their perceptions begin to erode. Their value system changes as work continues to consume all their energy thus leaving no time for each other their family, friends or any outside hobbies or recreations. They start being intolerant towards each other, don’t like being social and if they were to have some form of social contact it becomes unbearable. We start to see more aggression and sarcasm, they start blaming their increasing problems on each other and all the work they have to do and are completely oblivious to the fact that their work life has now taken over their family life. In today's society we are in what should be called “permanent competition”. Our appearance, occupation, education level down to the education of our children, everything is compared to a media staged ideal. It should be understood however that this ideal doesn’t exist and trying to pursue it will most certainly result in burnout.
Men and women both will isolate themselves from each other to avoid conflicts, and fall into a state of denial towards their basic physical needs and their perceptions begin to erode. Their value system changes as work continues to consume all their energy thus leaving no time for each other their family, friends or any outside hobbies or recreations. They start being intolerant towards each other, don’t like being social and if they were to have some form of social contact it becomes unbearable. We start to see more aggression and sarcasm, they start blaming their increasing problems on each other and all the work they have to do and are completely oblivious to the fact that their work life has now taken over their family life. In today's society we are in what should be called “permanent competition”. Our appearance, occupation, education level down to the education of our children, everything is compared to a media staged ideal. It should be understood however that this ideal doesn’t exist and trying to pursue it will most certainly result in burnout.
Employer Participation
Many companies have begun to realize how important the work-life balance is to the productivity and creativity of their employees and with the high number of women in the work force companies have had to make some major changes. Employers now offer flexible working arrangements; part time and casual telecommuting work, offering a more proactive structure to accommodate a more diverse work force. Although employers are offering many opportunities to help their employees balance work and life, these opportunities may be a catch twenty-two for some female employees. Even if the organization offers part-time options, many women will not take advantage of it as this type of arrangement is often seen as a "occupational dead end".
Even with the more flexible schedule, working mothers opt not to work part-time because these positions typically receive less interesting and challenging assignments; taking these assignments and working part-time may hinder advancement and growth. Even when the option to work part-time is available, some mothers, after returning to work, experience what is called the maternal wall. The maternal wall is experienced in the less desirable assignments given to the returning mothers. It is also a sense that because these women are mothers, they cannot perform as "ideal workers". If an organization is providing means for working mothers and fathers to better balance their work life commitments, the general organizational norm needs to shift so the "ideal worker" includes those who must manage a home, children, elderly parents, etc.
Many companies have begun to realize how important the work-life balance is to the productivity and creativity of their employees and with the high number of women in the work force companies have had to make some major changes. Employers now offer flexible working arrangements; part time and casual telecommuting work, offering a more proactive structure to accommodate a more diverse work force. Although employers are offering many opportunities to help their employees balance work and life, these opportunities may be a catch twenty-two for some female employees. Even if the organization offers part-time options, many women will not take advantage of it as this type of arrangement is often seen as a "occupational dead end".
Even with the more flexible schedule, working mothers opt not to work part-time because these positions typically receive less interesting and challenging assignments; taking these assignments and working part-time may hinder advancement and growth. Even when the option to work part-time is available, some mothers, after returning to work, experience what is called the maternal wall. The maternal wall is experienced in the less desirable assignments given to the returning mothers. It is also a sense that because these women are mothers, they cannot perform as "ideal workers". If an organization is providing means for working mothers and fathers to better balance their work life commitments, the general organizational norm needs to shift so the "ideal worker" includes those who must manage a home, children, elderly parents, etc.
Preventing Burnout
While people can cope with the symptoms of burnout, the only way to truly prevent burnout is through a combination of organizational change and education for the employee. Organizations need to address these issues through management development, and engaging with external consultants to assist them in establishing new policies and practices supporting a healthier work life. Burnout typically occurs when there is a disconnection between the organization and the individual with regard to workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values.
Resolving these discrepancies requires integrated action on the part of both the employee and the organization, the need for a better connection between workload and adequate resources to meet demands, as well as work life balances that encourage employees to revitalize their energy. A better connection on values means clear organizational values to which employees can feel committed. A better connection on community means supportive leadership and relationships with colleagues rather than discord and addressing fairness. Eliminating burnout completely would be an impossible feat, but taking steps to reduce its harm is in the best interest of the organization the employees and the families of those employed.
The book above - Banishing Burnout includes the authors’ unique and highly effective Work Life self-assessment test and a customized plan for action that will help transform the individual’s relationship with work and overcome job burnout. Click on the image to be redirected to Amazon for more details.
Many of the books at Insane Logic are available on Kindle, don't have one click on any Kindle banner on this site.
While people can cope with the symptoms of burnout, the only way to truly prevent burnout is through a combination of organizational change and education for the employee. Organizations need to address these issues through management development, and engaging with external consultants to assist them in establishing new policies and practices supporting a healthier work life. Burnout typically occurs when there is a disconnection between the organization and the individual with regard to workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values.
Resolving these discrepancies requires integrated action on the part of both the employee and the organization, the need for a better connection between workload and adequate resources to meet demands, as well as work life balances that encourage employees to revitalize their energy. A better connection on values means clear organizational values to which employees can feel committed. A better connection on community means supportive leadership and relationships with colleagues rather than discord and addressing fairness. Eliminating burnout completely would be an impossible feat, but taking steps to reduce its harm is in the best interest of the organization the employees and the families of those employed.
The book above - Banishing Burnout includes the authors’ unique and highly effective Work Life self-assessment test and a customized plan for action that will help transform the individual’s relationship with work and overcome job burnout. Click on the image to be redirected to Amazon for more details.
Many of the books at Insane Logic are available on Kindle, don't have one click on any Kindle banner on this site.
.
|
|