Author: Paola Casagrande (Safety, Health and Wellbeing Panel)
Introduction
Global statistics suggest that between 25% and 48% of workers experience symptoms of burnout.
Although not classified as a medical condition, burnout is included in the World Health Organisation’s 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon:
“Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
- reduced professional efficacy.
Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”
The words stress and burnout are sometimes used interchangeably, especially in the workplace. However, while they share some similarities, there are key differences. Stress is normally short-term but prolonged stress can sometimes lead to burnout, from which it may be more difficult to bounce back from than short-term stress.
The workplace stress that individuals feel is usually associated with the perceived responsibility to meet the duties or obligations of their job. Ultimately, the weight of these responsibilities can cause individuals to feel paralysed by the fear of failing to meet expectations. These stresses and feelings can result in burnout if not managed effectively. The sense of hopelessness, detachment, and the decrease in performance caused by burnout can have serious implications for both mental and physical health. Stressful personal circumstances can exacerbate the work pressures on an individual and have a compounded effect.
In the context of structural engineers, burnout and the pressure of responsibility are pertinent due to the nature of their work. Structural engineers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the public through the design and specification of safe, stable, and robust buildings and infrastructure. Their work requires a high level of expertise, precision, attention to detail, and the ability to solve complex problems. The implications of errors in their decisions and designs can be significant, affecting the safety and well-being of the public and can lead to prosecutions. In addition, the commercial demands of structural engineering can lead to long working hours, pressure to meet tight deadlines, potential for working away from home for extended periods, and unpredictable workloads.
Early career professionals can feel under pressure from striving to prove themselves, handling feedback, worrying about mistakes and finding their footing, all the while still discovering their place in the world.
Care responsibilities can also add to the work pressure, competing for time with often non-negotiable deadlines.
Symptoms of burnout
It is important to be able to recognise the onset of burnout to be able to intervene and address it as early as possible. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK lists a number of changes to emotions, thoughts, thinking patterns, and behaviours which may be signs and symptoms of work-related stress which can in the long-term lead to burnout.
| Emotions |
Thoughts and thinking paterns |
Behaviours |
- Feeling withdrawn
- Feeling isolated and the only one not coping
- Losing drive and motivation
- Decreasing self-confidence
- Intense emotional reactions – for example, being more tearful, sensitive or aggressive
- Paranoia
|
- Jumping to conclusions without considering the facts
- Minimising successes due to focus on challenges
- Maximising problems, feeling they are much bigger than they actually are
- Automatically jumping to the worst-case scenario
- Holding yourself responsible for negative outcomes
- Turning a positive into a negative
|
- Avoiding certain tasks
- Working longer hours
- Working through holidays
- Taking extra time off work
|
(Credit: Adapted from NHS-Work-related stress)
How to reduce the risk of burnout
One or a combination of several strategies (outlined below) can be adopted to control workplace stress and the pressure of responsibility to reduce the risk of burnout.
Self-care and stress management
Taking care of oneself helps mitigate the risk of burnout.
Engaging in activities that promote physical and mental well-being - such as exercise, social activities, hobbies, and relaxation techniques - is essential. It is equally crucial to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, sleep, and hydration, can significantly reduce stress levels and increase overall wellbeing. Regular exercise (walking, running, yoga, or swimming) is known to reduce stress and improve mood.
Practising mindfulness and meditation can help reduce stress and improve focus. Regular practice enhances mental resilience as well as physical and emotional wellbeing.
Taking regular breaks during the day can improve focus and productivity and helps prevent burnout. Similarly, holidays can help recharge. Although there never seems to be a good time to take a break due to the fast pace of project delivery, rest and recuperation are essential to physical and mental health and therefore productivity.
Time management
Efficiently managing time and prioritising tasks can help reduce stress:
- Identify the most critical tasks that need to be completed and focus on them first. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps
- Learn to say no. For SMEs and sole practitioners, letting an opportunity pass may be a source of stress and worry about future workload. However, it is worth considering that it may be even more stressful to secure a pipeline which cannot then be delivered due to burnout
- Improve productivity by adopting effective project management tools and techniques
- Create a detailed schedule and develop a clear timeline that outlines all deadlines and milestones. Use project management tools to keep track of progress and ensure that everyone is on the same page
- Delegate responsibilities, assigning tasks to team members according to their strengths and expertise. Delegating effectively can spread the workload and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently
Optimise resources
Pressure can be eased with the use of technology, by leveraging software and tools designed for structural engineering to streamline calculations, designs, and project management. However, technology can also be a source of stress if having to constantly change and adapt. It is therefore important to find the right tools and balance.
Standardising processes and implementing standard procedures and templates for common tasks can also reduce the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks and improve consistency.
Communicate effectively
Regular updates can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is aligned. Therefore, it is beneficial to establish open lines of communication with all stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and team members.
Pressure can be reduced by managing expectations, being transparent about what can realistically be achieved within the given parameters, and clearly communicating any constraints related to deadlines and budget with clients and stakeholders.
When faced with challenges, it is useful to involve a wider group in discussing and assessing options and solutions. Collaborative problem-solving can foster innovative ideas and relieve individual pressure.
Workplace support
In larger organisations, there are usually a number of formal or informal support initiatives.
Discussing challenges with a manager can be helpful. They may offer guidance, reassign tasks, or provide additional resources to alleviate pressure. People managers should be trained in recognising and addressing workplace stress, as being a great engineer does not automatically translate into being a great people manager.
Other types of confidential support available include employee assistance programs (EAPs) which often include counselling services, stress management workshops, and other resources accessible, for example, through private health insurance.
Some workplaces also have Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) to confidentially talk to. Please note the Institution of Structural Engineers regularly offers MHFA training.
Speaking with colleagues can provide valuable insights, shared experiences, and practical advice and engaging in team collaboration can help redistribute workloads. Anyone can be a supportive colleague, checking-in and asking colleagues if they are ok (always ask twice, they are more likely to open up when asked the second time), especially if noticing changes in their behaviour.
Professional organisations
Seeking support from peers, mentors, and professional networks can provide valuable guidance and reduce feelings of isolation. This is particularly important for smaller organisations or for sole traders who may not be able to put in place the same level of internal support as bigger organisations.
External peer support networks can be developed through local professional communities and professional institutions.
In particular, the IStructE offers resources and networking opportunities through groups such as the IStructE regional groups or the recently launched IStructE Community. Membership also provides access to professional development courses, online forums, mentoring programs and the Benevolent Fund resources.
Personal networks and mental health resources
Speaking to family and friends can offer emotional support and a different perspective on challenges. Seeking advice from a mentor outside the immediate work environment can offer guidance and support based on their broader experience.
If experiencing burnout, professional counselling or therapy can provide individuals with coping strategies and emotional support. In addition, joining support groups, either in-person or online, can provide a sense of community and shared understanding. This can be particularly helpful for those experiencing similar pressures.
Finally, utilising mental health and wellness apps can offer tools for relaxation, mindfulness, and stress management.
Conclusions
Due to the nature of their work, structural engineers can often be under significant work pressure and therefore it is important to put strategies in place to manage stress and reduce the risk of burnout.
It is crucial to be able to recognise signs and symptoms of stress and then take action to prevent burnout. Resources and help can be found through various channels and structural engineers, either in big organisations or those who work alone, should be able to find the support they need to manage pressure and maintain their wellbeing.