Resignation Syndrome: A Wake-Up Call for Addressing Burnout at Work

In the fast-paced world, burnout has become an increasingly prevalent issue. It is often lurking beneath the surface, and affecting the well-being of employees. In this blog, we delve into the metaphorical concept of ‘Resignation Syndrome’ within the context of workplace burnout. And so, let’s take a look at the parallels between resignation syndrome and workplace stress, emphasising the urgent need for organisations to prioritise mental health and create environments that foster employee resilience and well-being…

Here is an interesting concept that I have recently come across called the ‘Resignation Syndrome’. Resignation syndrome is a psychological condition which is characterised by a state of profound withdrawal and unresponsiveness. 

When people (especially children) experience severe trauma, stress, or uncertainty about their future, they enter into a coma-like state. They stop speaking, eating, and performing basic activities. This condition can last for weeks, months, or even years. Recovery typically requires a safe and stable environment supplemented with supportive care.

While it may not be exactly applicable at the workplace, it serves as a powerful metaphor…

There are times when an employee feels hopeless, unheard, culturally misunderstood, or severely stressed. This could be due to factors such as excessive workload, lack of autonomy, poor leadership, and toxic work culture. When employees feel a lack of control or have feelings of futility, this can trigger a similar type of psychological response. 

This is what we call ‘self-preservation’. 

They may mentally check out, feel hopeless, and resigned. Therefore, they exhibit emotional withdrawal, disengagement, miss deadlines, or show a decline in quality of work. They exist but are rarely optimal. Prolonged exposure to stress and burnout can also lead to physical health problems and decreased job satisfaction. Hence, this in turn affects the overall performance of the company.

Do companies even recognise this? What can be done to create that safe supportive work environment, to let employees know that their voice is heard? It’s not just important to ‘wake up’ employees but to wake up the management to innate human psychological reactions to stress and trauma at work. Therefore, let’s heed this wake-up call and work towards creating healthier, more sustainable workplaces for all….