2023-05-04 14:35:09
Taken from the English “boredom”, which means “boredom”, the bore-out designates a state of boredom, frustration and professional disengagement caused by an under-workload or a lack of intellectual stimulation at work. It can be contrasted with burnout, which, conversely, is caused by overwork and excessive stress.
However, quite surprisingly, the physical and psychological symptoms of burn-out are very similar to those of bore-out. How to identify them and how to rediscover the taste for work? Answers from Mélissa Pangny, work psychologist and Sylvie Chauvin, liberal psychologist and practitioner at Moka. Care.
Definition: what is a bore-out?
The bore-outalso known as “boredom burnout syndrome”, is characterized by deep and prolonged boredom at workcoupled with significant frustration and professional disengagement.
People who suffer from boreout can feeling useless, underutilized and frustrated that they cannot use their skills – and all the more so since this phenomenon is often taboo and a source of great suffering, says Mélissa Pangny. And to add:
Boreout is not only a matter of quantity of work, but also a matter of quality of work.
The decrease in the workload can indeed be quantitative (the missions to be carried out are fewer and fewer) or qualitative (the missions are less and less challenging, which devalues the interest of the position).
What is the difference with a burn-out or a brown-out?
Burnout, boreout and brownout have many similarities, but differ in their nature and causes.
- Burn-out refers to professional exhaustion caused by and chronic stress and overwork. It is often caused by an imbalance between workload, available resources and unrealistic expectations on the part of the employer or the worker themselves.
- Bore-out is caused by a lack of stimulation and challenges at work. It can be caused by a lack of professional development opportunities, poor communication, lack of recognition or support, etc.
- Finally, the brown-out designates the fact that employees gradually lose interest in their jobs due to a lack of meaning or relevance in their daily tasks. It can be caused by a lack of vision or clear direction on the part of the company, a lack of autonomy or responsibility in the work, or even a lack of opportunities to showcase one’s skills and creativity.
Warning symptoms: how do you know if you have a bore-out?
It’s important to don’t confuse boredomwhich is a psychosocial risk factor, and the bore-out. The latter is characterized by the simultaneous manifestation of several symptoms. Among the most common manifestations:
- and constant and prolonged boredom at workeven when you are not short of work;
- a loss of motivation and pleasure in working ;
- adecreased concentration and productivity ;
- a tendency to procrastinate and to put off the simplest tasks until later;
- a feeling of social isolation at work and one lack of interaction with colleagues or supervisors;
- and feelings of worthlessness or ineffectivenessassociated to great guilt and to low self-esteem ;
- and state of stress, even depression – and all the symptoms that follow, such as sleep disorders, digestive disorders, anxiety, extreme fatigue or irritability;
- increased absenteeism or a tendency to arrive late or at leave earlier than usual ;
- etc.
Furthermore, the boron-out can affect physical health due to physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and lack of sleep. This is why it is essential to quickly consult a mental health professional. as soon as the first signs appear of disinterest and exhaustion.
What are the inherent risks of bore-out?
As noted above, over the long term, this feeling of boredom and lack of activity and/or personal job satisfaction can lead to a feeling of shame, loss of self-esteem, even depression. Bore-out can also have repercussions on the physical health of employees, going so far as to increase the risk of cardiovascular accidents.
On the other hand, when employees are under-stimulated, they are more likely to quit their job, resulting in regular staff turnover and significant turnover costs for the company. Not to mention that the decline in their productivity can harm the atmosphere and overall performance of their business. Finally, on an individual level, employees can lose skills and experience, which can impact their long-term employability.
What are the causes of boredom at work?
The origins of bore-out can be varied. In question, most often? A lack of challenges, responsibilities, autonomy and opportunities for professional development which can lead to a loss of motivation, great fatigue, social isolation, low self-esteem or even depression.
Other factors may also come into play:
- a bad communication ;
- and lack of resources to do their job properly;
- THE conflicts with co-workers or supervisors :
- a lack of recognition or support :
- etc.
And lack of clear goals and an deliberate shelving may also be involved. In this case, the employer seeks to push his employee to the limit: he no longer or has little contact with the other employees of the company, he is no longer given work to do, he is not summoned more at meetings, they denigrate him, etc. This form of bullying aims to join him/her voluntarily, without contractual termination or dismissal.
These factors can vary depending on the position, the company and the employees concerned, insists Mélissa Pangny. But employers need to be aware of the risks and work to provide challenging tasks, professional development opportunities, positive feedback and clear communication to avoid boredom and keep their employees motivated.
Are some people more likely to bore out?
“There are no specific risk profiles,” replies Mélissa Pangny. Anyone can get bored at their job, whatever our age, our experience or our field of activity! »
However, employees who have repetitive, monotonous jobsor not requiring not much creativity or decision making may present a particular risk of bore-out.
It is also important to note that boron-out can be the result of organizational problems such as lack of communication, direction or support from superiors.
And the psychologist to alert “However, if you often get bored quickly and change jobs regularly, you have to ask yourself: why do you go around your jobs so quickly? What are your real motivations and professional desires? »
Prevention: how to avoid bore-out?
A bore-out is never desired – let alone predictable. Here are a few tips to limit the risks:
- choose a job that matches their interests and skills ;
- make sure their work is challenging enough asking for additional projects or more complex tasks to avoid boredom and stay engaged;
- set clear and achievable professional goals to stay motivated and engaged;
- communicate openly with his/her manager(s) and share your concerns if you are bored;
- participate in training or professional development programs to stay up to date on new skills and discover new perspectives to stimulate intellectual curiosity;
- take regular breaks to limit mental and physical fatigue, which can accentuate boredom at work;
- consider telecommuting to ensure you have more flexibility and freedom to engage in activities that stimulate and entertain the mind.
In sum, preventing boreout is all about finding a balance between challenging work and mind-boosting leisure activities.
Solutions against boredom at work: how to fight it?
It is essential to take appropriate measures at the first signs of bore-out, in particular by communicating with supervisorslooking for stimulating projectsestablishing clear professional goalsor considering change job, or even company, if necessary. “More often than not, asserting oneself and speaking up to find solutions makes it possible to find solutions other than the resignationwhich is not always essential”, underlines Mélissa Pangny.
How to get out?
If the situation seems insurmountable to you, do not hesitate to talk about it around you : to your family, your spouse, your friends, even some of your colleagues who can help you see things more clearly. An interview with human resources may be considered and the help of a professional (general practitioner, occupational physician, psychiatrist, psychologist) can also be of great help.
“In consultation, we start by helping patients understand what is happening to them,” explains Sylvie Chauvin. We then work on the sense of coherence : patients learn to identify the causes of their discomfort, regain control of their emotions and work on their connection to work. »
You can work for a company that makes sense, but occupy a position that does not – and vice versa. Usually one compensates for the other. But if neither the company nor the position are interesting, you feel like you’re wasting your time and energy. The goal is to see more clearly to find the way to fulfillment.
- Take a break ! Do you feel demotivated, weak and on edge? Do not hesitate to consult your attending physician or your occupational physician who can, if necessary, you stop for a momentthe time you can decompress, take care of yourself and think about the future.
- Ask for new tasks or responsibilities to your supervisor to stimulate your interest and maintain your commitment. If necessary, ask for a new position.
- Set concrete and realistic goals to feel like you’re moving forward and regain your motivation.
- If your job does not give you the opportunity to work on new projects with other colleagues, consider creating a personal project to punctuate your working day.
- Invest in projects outside of your job to boost your well-being and add variety to your daily routine.
“If boredom and discomfort persist despite all these efforts, it may be time to look for a new job that better matches your interests and aspirations,” concludes Mélissa Pangny. This new adventure will give you a second wind and will galvanize you.
In video: “How to be happy at work? »
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