"I Don't Want to Do Anything" Employees Complaining of 'Burnout Syndrome'

9 out of 10 Office Workers Say "Experienced Burnout"
WHO: "Burnout is a syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been properly managed"
Experts: "Burnout should not be neglected... Stress control and management are necessary"

Citizens are hurrying their steps to work at the Gwanghwamun intersection in Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "I really don't want to do anything, so I just lie down."

A (28), an office worker in their second year at the company, said they have been experiencing severe lethargy for several months. A said, "Because I've been under constant stress, I've lost motivation and feel like I'm in a state of burnout," adding, "Even when I take a vacation or rest on weekends, I remain in this state. It doesn't seem like resting helps me recover."

They said, "Sometimes, I even get sick of just sitting at work," but added, "I wonder if I really have to go this far, but then I think others must be enduring this level of stress too. With that thought, I somehow keep holding on."

Recently, the number of office workers complaining of 'Burnout syndrome' has been increasing. Burnout syndrome is a term first used by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974 in his paper 'Burnout of Staffs,' referring to a condition of severe fatigue and lethargy caused by work-related stress.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined burnout at the World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland last year as a "syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed."

WHO explained the symptoms related to burnout syndrome as ▲energy depletion and exhaustion, ▲increased psychological distance from work, negative or cynical feelings about the job, and ▲reduced professional efficacy. However, it added that this refers to phenomena occurring in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.

While WHO considers burnout a syndrome requiring management and treatment, office workers still say it is difficult to receive treatment. This is because awareness of burnout syndrome is not high, making it hard to establish related prevention and support measures.

Photo by Yonhap News

Office worker B (34) said, "From what I hear at work, many people are experiencing burnout syndrome. Among them, some seem to have very severe symptoms," adding, "It's only now that 'rest when you're sick' is accepted for physical illness, but no one can take sick leave or rest for burnout."

B said, "Even if I want to quit and rest for about a year, I worry it will be difficult to change jobs afterward," adding, "This is not just an individual problem; most modern people probably experience this symptom. I think companies should prepare measures for employees' mental health."

According to survey results, 9 out of 10 office workers answered that they have experienced burnout.

A survey conducted by the office worker app Blind and the online hobby class platform MyBiscuit from the 2nd to the 8th of last month, targeting 10,091 office workers nationwide, found that 89% of respondents answered "yes" to the question "Have you recently experienced burnout?" Respondents cited reasons such as 'excessive workload' (46%), 'routine daily life' (18%), 'workplace relationships' (13%), 'invisible achievements' (12%), and 'job dissatisfaction' (11%).

Experts suggested engaging in hobbies to relieve stress or seeking professional help if symptoms are severe.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Just as a cold worsens if neglected, psychological stress is the same," emphasizing, "If stress worsens, it can be accompanied by sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. If you feel you have excessive stress or experience symptoms like skepticism, you should not leave it untreated."

Professor Kwak added, "When stressed or struggling, it is necessary to create hobbies and spend time on them. Taking a vacation, listening to good music, reading books?these are abilities to self-regulate," adding, "Life doesn't get better just by being perfect, so practicing and making efforts to be kind to yourself are also necessary."