A Manager's Guide to Identifying Workplace Burnout Before It’s Too Late

Mental health matters just as much inside the workplace as it does outside of it. With so many of us spending most of our waking hours at work, wellbeing is not something left at the door. It directly shapes your company’s culture, reputation, and performance.

The truth is simple. When team members feel supported, they do better. And workplaces benefit in every way.

Burnout does not happen overnight. It builds slowly, often quietly, until it starts to affect motivation, focus, and wellbeing. By the time it becomes visible, the impact is already felt across the individual, the team, and the business.

As a manager or a leader, you are in a unique position to notice early signs, check in, and take action before it takes a deeper toll. Burnout does not always look the same, but there are patterns to watch for. Recognising them early is the first step toward meaningful support.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we are sharing a series of resources to help leaders create healthier, more supportive teams. This guide focuses on helping managers recognise the early signs of burnout, from emotional exhaustion to disengagement, and how to open up supportive conversations.

Burnout does not always look the same for everyone. But there are common patterns to watch for. As a manager, knowing what to look for is the first step toward meaningful action.

What is Workplace Burnout?

Burnout is more than just feeling tired or stressed after a tough week. It is a state of ongoing physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged work-related stress. Over time, it drains a person’s energy, motivation, and sense of purpose, making it harder to perform well or feel fulfilled in their role.

Burnout can show up in different ways, from chronic fatigue and headaches to feelings of detachment or cynicism at work. It not only affects performance, but it can spill into other parts of life, straining relationships and personal well-being.

The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, tied to unmanaged chronic workplace stress. If left unaddressed, it can lead to serious health issues, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Recognising burnout early is key to preventing these long-term effects.

What Causes Employee Burnout in the Workplace?

Burnout does not happen for one reason alone. It is often the result of different stressors building up over time, both inside and outside of work. Even team members who seem motivated and passionate on the surface can experience burnout when the right support is missing.

Here are some of the most common causes managers should be aware of:

1. Work overload
When employees are consistently juggling too many responsibilities or unrealistic deadlines, it takes a toll. Over time, the pressure to keep up can lead to exhaustion, mistakes, and a sense of falling behind, no matter how hard they work.

2. Lack of control
Feeling powerless over how work gets done or having little say in decisions can wear down motivation. Micromanagement, rigid rules, or not being trusted to manage one’s own time can make employees feel disengaged and undervalue.

3. Not enough recognition
When effort goes unnoticed, it is harder for team members to stay invested. Everyone wants to know that their work matters. A lack of appreciation, whether from leadership or peers, can leave people feeling invisible and disconnected from the bigger picture.

4. Strained relationships at work
A sense of belonging matters. When team members feel isolated, excluded, or unsupported by their team, the workplace becomes a source of stress instead of a community. Poor relationships or unresolved conflict can deepen feelings of burnout.

5. Unfair treatment
Perceptions of bias, favoritism, or unfair policies can erode trust. If team members feel they are being treated unfairly or their concerns are not being taken seriously, resentment can build over time, leading to emotional exhaustion and detachment.

6. Poor work-life balance
When work consistently spills into personal time, recovery becomes difficult. Without enough time to rest, recharge, and tend to life outside of work, employees are more likely to feel overwhelmed and depleted.

7. Misaligned values
If an employee’s personal values or goals do not align with the company’s     mission or culture, it can create inner conflict. Over time, this mismatch can lead to frustration, dissatisfaction, and disengagement.

8. Unclear expectations

When employees are not sure what success looks like, what their priorities are, or how their performance will be measured, it creates constant anxiety and uncertainty. Lack of clarity can make work feel chaotic and overwhelming.

9. Lack of resources

Trying to meet goals without the right tools, time, or support can be deeply frustrating.It forces employees to compensate by working harder or longer, increasing the risk of burnout.

10.  Lack of growth opportunities

When employees feel stuck with no clear path for development or advancement, motivation can decline. Feeling stagnant or overlooked for new challenges can contribute to disengagement over time.

11.  Emotional labor (for roles with high emotional demands)

Employees in caregiving, customer-facing, or people-focused roles often carry the extra weight of emotional labor. Constantly managing emotions, staying calm under pressure, or absorbing others’ stress can quietly drain wellbeing.

12.  Remote work challenges Working remotely can blur the boundaries between work and personal life.Without a clear separation, employees may find it harder to switch off, leading to longer hours and less time to recharge. Remote employees may also struggle with feelings of isolation or disconnection from their team, making it harder to stay engaged and supported.

Burnout is not caused by one factor alone. It often stems from several overlapping pressures. Recognising the underlying causes is the first step in building a healthier, more sustainable workplace.

Download the Mini Guide: Recognising and Responding to Employee Burnout

As for the signs, there are many ways burnout can show up in your team. Some of the most common include noticeable fatigue, shifts in performance, and an increase in sick days or health complaints. As a leader, paying attention to these changes can help you step in early. We have created a practical mini guide with more signs to watch for, along with actionable tips to support your team and help turn things around. Download it to learn more.

In the guide, you will get access to

• 16 common signs of burnout to watch for in your team, including fatigue, mood changes, and drops in performance
• How to spot hidden signs like increased sick days, withdrawal from coworkers, or reduced engagement
• Simple actions you can take as a manager to support a struggling team member
• Tips for opening supportive conversations without making employees feel singled out
• Strategies to build a healthier team culture that reduces burnout risk

Fill in the form above and download the guide to learn more about what to look for, how to take action early, and how to create lasting change.

‍