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Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Services Staff
Work-related stress is known to cost the economy of the United States an estimated $300 billion in sick time, long-term disability, and excessive job turnover. According to Isatou (2014), “Jobs that are stressful can be just as harmful to women as smoking and obesity.” This research was also recognized in an article written by the Department of Health and Human Services. When having to take care of someone who is sick or disabled, this can cause major burnout especially if the situation is chronic and professionals barely have any support. When it comes to difficult situations such as big case loads, difficult clients within agencies, lack of teamwork, and poor management supervision; this causes exhaustion or also known as burnout. In this paper, there will be a definition of the term burnout and the factors that cause it. There will also be a discussion about ways to prevent burnout and how to assist with staff burnout within a human service organization. I will then share with you how I personally handle work-related stress and how I go about reducing the effects of burnout.
Burnout
Herbert Freudenberger came up with the term “burnout” in the early 80’s. He defined the term as, “a debilitating psychological condition brought about by work stress which eventually resulted in depleted energy and exhaustion, illness, increased depersonalization in interpersonal relationships, and a dissatisfaction in work” (Lee, Johnson, Hunt, 2014). Burnout is basically a mental collapse which is caused by overwork and stress. Burnout happens when human service professionals are overwhelmed with his or her workload and when he or she are unable to meet constant demands. Professionals eventually lose interest in the work that they once loved doing, and their motivation begins to decrease.

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