What causes burnout?
Burnout is usually less about personal weakness and more about the fit between a person and their job. Knowing which part of that fit is broken tells you what to change.
The six areas of worklife
Burnout researchers Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter describe six areas where a mismatch between a person and their job can lead to burnout. The greater the mismatch, the greater the likelihood of burnout; the better the match, the greater the likelihood of engagement.
| Area | What a mismatch looks like | Question to ask yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Workload | Too much work, too little time or resources, and no time to recover | Is my workload sustainable week after week, not just in peaks? |
| Control | Little say over how, when or what you work on; unclear authority | Do I have enough control to do my job the way it needs doing? |
| Reward | Effort not recognised — financially, socially or through the satisfaction of the work | Does my effort feel noticed and worthwhile? |
| Community | Poor relationships, conflict, isolation, lack of support | Do I have people at work I trust and can rely on? |
| Fairness | Unfair decisions, favouritism, inequitable workloads or pay | Are decisions here made fairly and openly? |
| Values | Being asked to do things that conflict with your values or the work’s purpose | Does what I do here fit what I care about? |
Common causes in practice
Mayo Clinic lists similar possible causes of job burnout: lack of control over your schedule, assignments or workload; lack of clarity about what is expected of you; conflicts with others, such as an office bully or a boss who is too involved in your work; too much or too little to do — work that is overwhelming, or boring; lack of support at work and in your personal life; and problems with work–life balance, where work takes so much time and energy that little is left for family and friends.
Risk factors it highlights include a heavy workload and long hours, struggling to balance work and personal life, working in a helping profession such as health care, and feeling you have little or no control over your work.
Why it is not “just you”
People sometimes treat burnout as a personal failing — not resilient enough, not organised enough. WHO’s definition points the other way: burn-out results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Personal habits matter for recovery, but lasting change usually requires changes to the work itself. That is why Singapore’s Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces asks employers to identify and act on work stressors.
Use your CBI scores
If your burnout test shows high work-related burnout, look first at workload and control. High client-related burnout points to the emotional demands of serving people — see burnout in helping professions. High personal burnout with lower work scores suggests the strain may be coming from outside work, or from a health issue worth checking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest cause of burnout?
There is no single cause, but excessive workload without enough recovery and a lack of control over work are among the most common drivers.
Can a job you love still burn you out?
Yes. Strong commitment can lead people to overextend themselves. Burnout can follow when high demands continue without enough recovery, support or control, even in meaningful work.
Is burnout the employee’s or the employer’s responsibility?
Both have a role. WHO frames burn-out as resulting from unmanaged workplace stress, and Singapore’s tripartite advisory asks employers to identify and address work stressors. Individuals can protect recovery and speak up early.
Need to talk to someone now? If you are thinking about suicide or harming yourself, or someone is in immediate danger, call 995 or go to the nearest A&E.
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): call 1767 or WhatsApp CareText 9151 1767 — 24 hours
- National mindline 1771: call 1771, WhatsApp 6669 1771 or webchat at mindline.sg — 24 hours
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH) helpline: 6389 2222 — 24 hours
- Outside Singapore: find a free, confidential helpline in your country at findahelpline.com
More options: get help now.
Please note: This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Burnout shares symptoms with depression, anxiety and physical conditions such as thyroid problems or anaemia, so persistent symptoms deserve a check with a doctor. Full disclaimer.
Sources
- Maslach C, Leiter MP. "Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry." World Psychiatry 2016
- Mayo Clinic, "Job burnout: How to spot it and take action"
- World Health Organization, "Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases" (28 May 2019)
- Ministry of Manpower, NTUC and SNEF, "Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces"