How to come back from burnout at work?

[Malkin48]

Hi, is there anyone who has successfully come back from burnt out at work? I have a stressful job but am the main earner in our household and we’re barely scraping by as it is so no possibility of dropping any hours or affording to retrain. In my job, I’m essentially doing two people’s jobs but I work in the public sector, I’m the most senior member of staff there, there is no money and nothing will change anytime soon. I used to be so passionate about my role, now I totally resent it and can’t see any way of getting my love for it back. I’m 50, so potentially have another seventeen years of it, and that’s a truly hideous thought! Anyone been in a similar situation and managed to come back from this, and if so, how did you do it?

I think you can get back from burnout but not in the situation you describe.

Can you get a transfer?

Otherwise I think the most important thing you can do is control your hours

I changed jobs. I was burnt out at my previous job so focused on getting out while "quietly quitting " or just doing the bare minimum. I was doing 4am-7pm.
I applied for a number of jobs and finally found one after 2 months 930-430 for £15k more a year. I'm also the sole earner so needed to do something or I'd break.
Look around for something else.

Hello, I’m very sorry to hear about your troubles. Can I ask if you been off work on sick leave or if you just feel burned out? If the former then you should have a return to work plan from your HR team, including a phased return, support etc. If not, it sounds like you urgently need a chat with HR to get these challenges documented and fund a way forwards. (I am a senior HR Director in the private sector).

I experienced burnout in 2021 and had to completely stop for 3 months and let go of the clients who were draining me. I’m really sorry you’re going through that—it’s so real. Please listen to yourself and like @MyPearlMentor said be compassionate and get support from HR to find a different path forwards.

Sorry to read what you are going through. I think it very hard to come back from a complete burnout as it taints the job.

HR/ line manager should support you but this does not always materialise. I would look for alternative work options- hard as it is, it is worth looking and seeing what options you have.

At the end of the day you are just an employee- (thread below) and you will have other life stresses coming your way in your 50’s.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/4982564-when-did-you-realise-you-are-just-an-employee-and-loyalty-accounts-for-nothing?page=10&reply=139705889

I ended up taking 6 months off work and was in the very fortunate position I was able to go down a couple of paygrades so far less stress.

This is my plan although others don't understand. My stress tolerance has permanently gone down. I could have written the first post in the thread myself. No chance of transfer, even on health grounds.

I think you can come back from burnout yes. It sounds like it's not an (easy) option to find another job so I'd suggest taking the approach of "the plodder", log in, do your work, meet your objectives (where you are in control of them and it's practicably possible) but don't do any more than that. Don't engage in work politics. If someone's an arse hole don't react just move on to the next task. Delegate everything that should be delegated. Don't work later than totally necessary. Plenty plodders get by famously in all workplaces and I often wish I had the same laid back approach.

OP- may be worth posting this under the ‘work’ section as well, tend to have people who follow this topic.

I've been off since mid-October and am dreading going back. I can't afford to drop my salary or cut back on hours so I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm still signed off by the GP but am now on SSP only and can't afford to stay on this for long. Plus I'm worried my colleagues will resent me when i do go back.

Do you have any options to reduce your bills? Downsizing? Moving town to reduce mortgage etc?

Life is too short to feel miserable.

I did but I temporarily dropped to a four day week for a year and changed role. After a year I felt much better and ready for a more stressful role again.

Sorry for your situation, it's rubbish.

Can you take a long holiday, ie 3 weeks?

Sorry to hear this too, but no decent employer would immediately expect you to be back full time. When you are well enough, a return to work interview should take place and a tapered plan agreed. Whatever got you to here needs to be discussed - or you are just stuck. I don’t really get why your colleagues would resent you - would you resent a colleague who has been off sick? In my line of work I see this all too often and unfortunately unless you address the cause then it’s cyclical. If your work do not do the above then politely ask for a meeting with the HR Director.

I fully understand and you word it like I do..my tolerance for stress has gone down. I used to work in a highly pressured crisis intervention type role. After my burnout I realised the unpredictability and pressure triggered me. I now work in a role where my work is proactive not reactive.
I've been doing 30 hours for 5 years and only now feel I want to increase to full time as I love my role but a bit more spare money would be nice!