Telecommuting: is there a risk of burn-out or bore-out?

Here are two distinct terms that nonetheless lead to the same conclusion: exhaustion at work. One is caused by an excessive workload and the other by a lack of work. As a result of the health crisis, teleworking has become widespread for students and companies. Is this new practice leading us to either of these two syndromes? 

Burn-out

We all know burn-out, which is a syndrome of physical and mental exhaustion caused by workplace stress. This term remains relevant today; working from home can also lead to burn-out. 

With repeated lockdowns and teleworking, we find two types of people: those who can ease up and those who, on the contrary, have to manage everything at the same time.

According to a study by the CSA institute in collaboration with Linkedin France, nearly a quarter of French people (23%) report having been exposed to the risk of burn-out during lockdown, and nearly half among young people (46%). When nearing burn-out, one must listen to one's body and the signals to guard against it. Often, we do not realize it because we are caught up in an energy cycle where we no longer sense that our body is wearing out. 

This issue of work-related exhaustion is all the more complicated to detect when working remotely with colleagues.

Remotely, it is difficult to sense that someone is not doing well. It is therefore essential to schedule check-in times to see how colleagues are coping with the workload. It is also the responsibility of employees to know how to say no and set a limit.