Last week, Jacinda Ardern decided to step down as New Zealand’s prime minister.

The 42-year-old has faced a lot in her five-year term. From fighting the biggest mass shooting in the country to the Covid-19 pandemic and even a volcanic eruption.

She herself mentioned in a press conference she gave last week that her “tank” was empty and she could no longer safely respond to her work.

“Politicians are people. We give everything we can, as long as we can, and then this time comes,” she said, stressing that this time has come for her.

Although Ardern, who became a mother during her tenure, did not specifically mention burnout as the reason for her decision to retire from politics, the public and media have interpreted it as such.

Many praised her, as she is perhaps the first leader to admit that in order to rule the country, sooner or later you will have to face … overwork.

Burnout in the foreground

Some have even commented that Andern’s honesty on this issue is a turning point, as it seems like the time has come to collectively discuss and redefine burnout and give the term the weight it deserves.

Now, many workers are hoping her words could be an important step towards normalizing the conversation about mental health and work. That is, discussions around burnout now need to be conducted without fear of stigmatization, which, in turn, will allow employers to create mechanisms to support employees before it’s too late. However, unfortunately, not everything is so optimistic, especially for women.

Burnout is broadly defined as physical and emotional exhaustion coupled with decreased motivation and performance at work. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), it is the result of working at a high level until the person is exhausted by stress, pressure, or even overwork.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) included burnout in its International Classification of Diseases and defined it as an “occupational occurrence” (while maintaining that it is not a medical term).

Burnout has traditionally been associated with executives in industries such as law, consulting, and finance. However, there are now more and more areas in which overwork mainly affects young people.

Writing for the Harvard Business Review, author and time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders describes how burnout is typically driven by factors such as overwork and the feeling that the time and effort put into a job is not commensurate with the rewards offered.

Most importantly, burnout can affect anyone. Indeed, reporting of burnout has skyrocketed during the pandemic, with a global survey of over 7,000 workers at the end of 2020 showing that over 90% reported some form of burnout.

Refusal

But despite its prevalence and prevalence, business leaders, managers and workers alike have failed to meaningfully deal with both its causes and consequences. Worse, burnout is widely stigmatized.

A 2007 study found that stigma is one of the biggest barriers to addressing mental health issues, while another 2020 study noted that stigma may reflect the belief that many people view malnourished people as less capable compared to those who not exhausted.

CDC data shows that women are more likely than men to talk about mental health and seek treatment. But even when people speak up and are taken seriously, there really is no support mechanism or resources available.

The lack of institutional support means workers can be pushed to the brink, especially those who can’t quit or simply turn to their superiors for help.

Is Ardern the right person to start a public debate about burnout?

Some experts, however, believe that Andern’s resignation may be a sign that the conversation is changing and that executives are acknowledging that the mental health of their employees is a priority.

Experts believe there are several characteristics that distinguish Andern as the right person to turn the page in a burnout chapter.

First, the data shows that she is widely respected, as even though her popularity has waned in recent months, her leadership – for much of her term – has been applauded.

Arden is also considered broadly understood, “that is, it concerns all people, regardless of social status”.

Some of these experts also believe that this honesty played a critical role in exposing burnout.

“Burnout is now widespread, but for some this concept remains abstract. The fact that someone like Ardern is involved with this issue automatically makes it more accessible to everyone,” says Jonah Halloway, author of Ghost: Why Perfect Women Are Shrinking.

“It’s a fact that leaders who are open about their personal experiences can help change norms and culture,” says Lorraine Harriton, managing director of consulting firm Catalyst.

Will change really come?

However, not everyone is convinced that Ardern’s resignation will actually bring positive change.

One reason for caution may be that many famous people around the world, such as Ariana Huffington or Naomi Osaka, have spoken out about burnout, but this has not solved the problem of stigma or increased resources for workers.

This is not necessarily because the people who speak lack credibility or influence, but rather the nature of the burnout and why it occurs. In other words, burnout goes hand in hand with some of the most toxic and ingrained characteristics of a work culture, such as constant presence at work and constant competition.

“Ardern’s speech opens up a dialogue but doesn’t change the root cause of the problem,” explains Adela Hussen, a London-based management and entrepreneurship consultant, adding that “most people work overtime because they are influenced by their culture. , social policy, or ill-defined roles.”

Source: BBC