Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Services Staff

Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Services Staff

Burnout amongst human services staff is an issue that could take a toll on a person health. It can also be big concern within the agency. Human service worker job can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when dealing with heavy caseloads, forced to work overtime, being on call after hours, and trying to balance a schedule between work and home. The human service field can become highly stressful for counselors especially depending on the focus of the counselor's career and the population served. This paper will provide a definition for the term "burnout" identify various causes and preventative measures, and discuss will be my personal reactions, responses, and reducing the effect of burnout by the staff.

Definition of Burnout

Johnson and Stone describe burnout as "physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from involvement with people in emotionally demanding situations" (2007, p.67). This definition neglects to specify prolonged exposure to the negative environment as a contributing factor to burnout. Maslach and Leiter (1997, pg.17) describe as the "erosion in values, dignity, spirit and will-an erosion of the human soul." Including the term "erosion" in the definition causes the reader to understand the gravity of the situation; for example missing each meal for a week will result in far more negative consequences than missing a single meal.

Causes of Burnout

A variety of factors can result in burnout; perfectionists and those who feel guilt for declining another person's request for assistance tend to assume multiple responsibilities simultaneously (personal, 2011). These types of people strive to deliver high quality service regardless of the cost, even if costs are greater than previously expected (i.e. longer hours, less family time, further distance, etc.). Another factor is the possibility that the job description is different from what the employee expected when hired. An employee who does not share the organization's mission and vision may begin to experience signs of burnout; the individual may feel as though he or she is going in a different direction than the organization. Extreme caseloads and hostile or chaotic work environments often cause mental and physical exhaustion; this continual exhaustion is often a cause of burnout.

Preventative Measures

Behavioral changes must be the focus of preventative measures in burnout prevention. Staff needs to understand that it is acceptable to ask others for assistance only when overwhelmed with duties and not on regular basis. They must also feel safe and free of pressure when declining a request in a polite manner. Supervisors must reinforce that once work hours are over the