Why Burnout Looks Different These Days

Burnout used to look like late nights, exhaustion, a full calendar and a never-ending to-do list. It’s the final manifestation of pushing too hard. In the past, it was easy to identify when you were burned out because your energy reserves were literally depleted. But burnout is increasingly showing up as a state of deep apathy versus the exhaustion of busyness we've come to associate with the emotion. Because of this change, many are struggling to even diagnose what they are currently feeling as a symptom of burnout.

Boston Consulting Group reports that almost half of surveyed employees state that they're burned out. Instead of the frantic energy of overcommitment, this form of burnout is presenting as employees who are quietly disengaging. They're not showcasing the classic signs of burnout, which are fatigue, absenteeism, and irritability. Rather, they're just not showing up mentally. Passion projects are paused indefinitely, tasks feel meaningless, and things at work that used to make sense now just seem pointless. This version of burnout is not about being overwhelmed by too much; it's about being underwhelmed by everything.

Why is burnout hitting differently these days?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as "a syndrome stemming from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." The WHO thinks of burnout in three dimensions, which are "feelings of energy depletion exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy." It’s the second dimension — mental distance — that is taking center stage now. For many, there is a fundamental mismatch between what they care about and the current work environment. People are no longer just tired; they’re apathetic.

Apathy is an important emotion to manage in the workplace. It can even be seen as a defense mechanism in some circumstances. After a period of prolonged stress at work or in life, it can be helpful to emotionally detach from the situation to stem the harm caused by caring. Many leaders would agree that it's a warning sign when their top people who were once quite vocal no longer speak up in meetings or advocate for their point of view. What's more, apathy is stealthier than exhaustion. When someone is visibly burned out, it triggers concern and action. But apathy flies under the radar, and therefore managers often miss this particular sign of burnout.

How to mitigate apathy at work

This brand of burnout is deeply tied to purpose, meaning, and workplace culture. However, there are several measures companies can take to mitigate burnout and reignite a kernel of caring in their people.

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First, reinvest in meaning and mattering. Apathy thrives in environments where people feel like their work doesn’t matter. Clarify the "why" behind the work. Connect tasks to a bigger purpose. People also want to feel seen at work. Popular workplace culture expert Bruce Daisley recently wrote about the importance of being seen and concluded that it is one of the most vital elements of engagement and happiness at work.

Next, invest in more skills-based training. Not only is it good for both employees and the business, but learning something new can help bring back that missing spark. The latest World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report predicts that being skilled in AI, big data, social influence, and leadership will become increasingly important. But you can’t rely on traditional learning and development modules — they're usually boring and not very effective. Instead, get creative on both how you embed on-the-job learning opportunities, and in what training you encourage employees to seek out.

Finally, ditch the return-to-office mandates and try piloting schedules that are outside of the traditional 9-5, 5 days a week. Where work is done should not still be part of the conversation for knowledge workers. We're in the middle of a shift in how work is structured. We need more than just a recovery; we need a reinvention. Companies that are innovative and creative in what the future of work looks like for their people will come out ahead.