Beating burnout: how can you protect your wellbeing at work?

Mental, physical and emotional fatigue from work can lead to burnout, which the World Health Organization characterises as having feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. The impacts of a burned-out workforce include a decline in employee mental health and increased staff absenteeism. There is a financial cost to businesses too – according to Ibec, poor mental health can cost up to €2,000 a year per employee.

Worryingly, in our research of over 600 professionals across Ireland, more than half (54%) of employees told us that they often feel stressed at work. This was even more pronounced for women (59%) compared to men (49%). While nearly all jobs will involve some level of stress, when does that stress turn into something overwhelming? Read on to discover the causes of burnout, the warning signs to look out for and the steps you can take to stop it in its tracks.

What’s causing employee burnout?

A common reason behind feeling exhausted at work is due to overworking. However, according to the 2025 Hays Working Well Report, almost all employees say they work outside of their contracted working hours to some extent. Maintaining a positive work-life balance is also proving difficult for a number of professionals, with 39% saying they don’t find it easy to switch off after work.

Taking holidays and breaks from work can help to mitigate feelings of burnout and allow you to reset, but our research also showed that a quarter (25%) of professionals feel unable to disconnect from work when on annual leave. One of the outcomes of this is the need to take a step back from a job – 22% of professionals say they have taken time off work in the last year due to stress or a stress-related illness.

How to recognise symptoms of burnout

Symptoms of burnout will be different for each individual. Some common signs include feeling drained even after resting, having difficulty concentrating, a loss of motivation in both your working and personal life, feeling disconnected from colleagues or a decline in productivity or quality of your work.

If you’re feeling stressed at work, take the time to step away and reflect on whether you may be showing signs of burnout. Recognising your symptoms for what they are is a good first step towards reducing these feelings and limiting the likelihood of becoming burnt out.

Tips for managing and preventing burnout

1. Prioritise rest and recovery: Exhaustion is a key driving factor of burnout, so focus on getting enough sleep, and try to take regular breaks during working hours to allow your mind a chance to rest and reset.

2. Set boundaries to build a positive work-life balance: In today’s interconnected world, it’s easier than ever to check in on your emails when you’re on holiday, or to answer that message from a colleague late in the evening. But doing so runs the risk of you not being able to truly switch off from your job, so do your best to resist the urge to dip into work outside of your contracted hours.

3. Use the wellbeing support offered by your employer: Your employer may offer employee assistance programmes (EAPs) or other support to help you manage your wellbeing. However, our research shows that 32% of employees don’t use the wellbeing support initiatives provided by their organisation. EAPs typically give you access to confidential support services relating to personal or work-related issues, such a counselling, legal and financial advice, and can be a useful option if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

4. Speak to someone: It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Everyone feels stressed at some point in their working lives and reaching out to speak to someone can help you to gain different perspectives and identify next steps to help reduce your stress levels. You could talk to your manager, a colleague, your HR department or a trusted friend or family member – your organisation may also offer professional help if you need it.

Burnout shouldn't be normalised and seen as just another part of the job – it’s a warning sign. By recognising the symptoms and taking meaningful steps to protect your wellbeing, you can move towards a happier, more productive life, both in and outside of the workplace.

Discover other tips around managing your wellbeing in the workplace by downloading the Hays Working Well Report.