Actual statements from a boss to an employee:
- I own you.
- When I say jump, you say, “How high”?
- If you don’t come in on Saturday, don’t bother showing up on Sunday.
The sad part about this is that these and similar statements are usually made to people who are already working their tails off. And without question, this type of attitude can (and nearly always does) lead to workplace burnout.
Although “burnout” is not an official medical diagnosis, both medical and mental health clinicians recognize it as a very real issue that can lead to any number of officially recognized diagnoses: high blood pressure, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, etc.
The following articles, from the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, address the signs and symptoms of workplace burnout, with suggestions on what can be done about it. Whether you’re a boss, an employee, or both, these articles are must-reads.